Chemical treatment of cotton stalk and its effects on mechanical, rheological and morphological properties of Polypropylene/cotton stalk bio‐composites

Abstract

Cotton stalk as commercially viable bio fiber for preparing bio‐composites is explored of late, and the effects of various chemical treatments of cotton stalk fiber on mechanical, rheological and morphological properties of Polypropylene (PP)‐Cotton stalk (CS) bio‐composites are reported in this study. PP‐CS bio‐composites were prepared by varying the amount of cotton stalk from 10 to 50% by melt mixing in twin screw extruder and then injection molded to make specimen. PP‐CS bio‐composites with 50 wt% untreated CS were found to have maximum improvement in tensile modulus (83%), flexural modulus (120%), impact strength (39%). Similar to tensile and flexural modulus, the storage modulus of the PP‐CS composites was also increased with incorporation of CS into the PP matrix. To further increase the interaction between CS and PP matrix, four different chemical treatments (alkali, silane, permanganate solution and stearic acid) were tested for mechanical properties of CS‐PP bio‐composites. Among them KMnO4 treatment was found most effective on overall enhancement of bio‐composite properties. Chemically treated CS‐PP bio‐composites could be an economic viable option to prepare high quality low cost composites for suitable applications in various interior parts of automotives and house hold products. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:E286–E296, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers

A review of the emerging approaches for developing multi‐scale filler‐reinforced epoxy nanocomposites with enhanced impact performance

“…Generally, glass, para-aramid, carbon, polyethylene, ceramic, and natural fibers are used as reinforcement. 16,27,[29][30][31][32][33][34][35] Among the various fibers, glass and carbon fibers are most commonly used due to their freedom to use either thermoset or thermoplastic matrix. 29 The imperative characteristics of glass fibers include their low cost, high strength and modulus, high chemical resistance, good heat resistance, and excellent insulating properties.…”

“…Fiber‐reinforced polymer composites comprise a polymer matrix with high‐strength fiber(s) as reinforcement. Generally, glass, para‐aramid, carbon, polyethylene, ceramic, and natural fibers are used as reinforcement 16,27,29–35 . Among the various fibers, glass and carbon fibers are most commonly used due to their freedom to use either thermoset or thermoplastic matrix 29 .…”

Fiber Degradation and Sugars Production of Cotton Stalk by Different Chemical Pretreatment Methods

“…Moreover, it is reported that the cellulose fibers from cotton stalks have higher mechanical properties than those from most lignocellulosic byproducts. Many studies show that alkali treatment removes amorphous materials such as hemicellulose, lignin, and pectin from the surface of cellulose fiber bundles and develops interfacial bonding between fiber and matrix which provide better mechanical properties (Hou et al, 2014;Reddy and Yang, 2009;Sachan et al, 2017;Zhou et al, 2017;Li et al, 2016). In addition, it has been observed that with the increase in temperature, the amount of cellulose also increased.…”

Effect of Chemical Treatment of Cotton Stalk Fibers on the Mechanical and Thermal Properties of PLA/PP Blended Composites

“…Examples include flax [ 15 , 16 ], jute [ 17 , 18 ], corn stalks [ 19 ], eucalyptus fibers [ 20 ], coconut shell fibers [ 21 , 22 ], and cotton stalk fibers [ 23 ]. Among these, cotton stalk fibers (CSFs), derived from the agricultural waste of the globally significant economic crop cotton, hold immense potential for development and utilization [ 23 , 24 , 25 ]. From a chemical composition perspective, CSFs, as lignocellulosic biomass, primarily consist of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin [ 25 ].…”