A modified corn straw (CS)/epoxy resin (EP) composite was prepared using bisphenol A EP (i.e., E-51) as matrix, 2-methylimidazole as curing agent, and CS modified by 3-glycidyl ether oxypropyl trimethoxysilane (KHCS) as filler. Its chemical structure was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The dynamic thermodynamic properties, mechanical properties, flame retardant property, and fracture morphology were studied using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), a universal testing machine, a micro combustion calorimeter, and a scanning electron microscope (SEM), respectively. The effects of different contents of KHCS on various properties were discussed. The experimental result showed that the CS was bonded toKH560 by a covalent bond. The impact strength, tensile strength, and flexural strength of the composites were all improved compared with those of pure EP. When the content of KHCS was 15 wt%, the maximum impact strength of the composites was 3.31 kJ/m2, which was 1.43 times that of the pure EP. The p HRR and THR of MCSEC-20 were 512.44 W/g and 25.03 kJ/g, respectively, which were 40.71% and 27.76% lower than those of pure EP, when the content of KHCS was 20 wt%. Moreover, the mechanism of the curing composites was investigated.

In order to make full use of crop waste stalk, corn-stalk cellulose (CSC) was extracted by acid–base method and used as modifier of epoxy resin (E51) to prepare the self-extracted corn-stalk cellulose/epoxy resin composites (CSCEC). Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG) analysis, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), morphology analysis by scanning electron microscope (SEM), the mechanical properties by electronic universal testing machine and impact testing machine were used for characterization and analysis. The experimental results showed that when the CSC content was 20 wt%, the impact strength of the composite was 2.50 kJ/m2, which was 127.2% higher than that of pure epoxy resin. When the CSC content was 20 wt%, the Tg of epoxy resin obtained by DMA was the lowest, 167.4 °C, which decreased by 11.3 °C compared with that of pure epoxy resin. The SEM result showed that the fracture surface of the composite became obviously rough and had of obvious folds, which was a ductile fracture. These results indicated that the addition of CSC could toughen the epoxy resin.

Corn straw/epoxy resin composites (CS/ECs) and maleic anhydride acetylated CS/ECs (MA-CS/ECs) were prepared through dry mixing and high-temperature curing. Corn straw is a kind of abundant, eco-friendly, and low-cost biomass material. Unmodified and modified corn straws were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The interfacial affinity of the composite was testified by the contact angle. The results of XPS and SEM demonstrated that maleic anhydride had been successfully bonded onto the structure of corn straw. Corn straw particle-reinforced epoxy resin composites were prepared using a casting and molding process. Results showed that the MA-CS/EC had better impact and flexural resistance than the unmodified corn straw/epoxy resin composites when the corn straw addition was 15 wt %. The result of the contact angle showed that the interfacial compatibility between composites is also stronger than that of CS/EC.

In order to make full use of crop waste stalk, corn-stalk cellulose (CSC) was extracted by acid-base method and used as modifier of epoxy resin (E51) to prepare the self-extracted corn-stalk cellulose / epoxy resin composites (CSCEC). Thermogravimetry (TG) analysis, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), morphology analysis by scanning electron microscope (SEM), the mechanical properties by electronic universal testing machine and impact testing machine were used for characterization and analysis. The experimental results showed that when the CSC content was 20 wt%, the impact strength of the composite was 2.50 kJ /m2, which was 127.2% higher than that of pure epoxy resin. Meanwhile, the tensile and bending strength were slightly increased, and the storage modulus (E') of epoxy resin was also slightly increased, indicating that the addition of CSC could toughen the epoxy resin. When the CSC content was 20 wt%, the Tg of epoxy resin obtained by DMA was the lowest, 167.4 ℃, which decreased by 11.3 ℃ compared with that of pure epoxy resin.

In order to make full use of crop waste stalk, corn-stalk cellulose (CSC) was extracted by acid-base method and used as modifier of epoxy resin (E51) to prepare the self-extracted corn-stalk cellulose/epoxy resin composites (CSCEC). Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG) analysis, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), morphology analysis by scanning electron microscope (SEM), the mechanical properties by electronic universal testing machine and impact testing machine were used for characterization and analysis. The experimental results showed that when the CSC content was 20 wt%, the impact strength of the composite was 2.50 kJ /m2, which was 127.2% higher than that of pure epoxy resin. When the CSC content was 20 wt%, the Tg of epoxy resin obtained by DMA was the lowest, 167.4 ℃, which decreased by 11.3 ℃ compared with that of pure epoxy resin. The SEM result showed that the fracture surface of the composite became obviously rough and had of obvious folds, which was a ductile fracture. These results indicated that the addition of CSC could toughen the epoxy resin.