Engineering Interfaces toward High-Performance Polypropylene/Coir Fiber Biocomposites with Enhanced Friction and Wear Behavior

Abstract

High-performance natural plant fibers reinforced polymer biocomposites with excellent friction and wear properties hold significant practical applications in industry. Unfortunately, it remains a major challenge to engineer the interfacial interactions between the fibers and the polymer matrix, which determines the mechanical and wear properties of the final composites. Herein, we engineer the coir fiber surface by depositing polyethylenimine (PEI) and graphene nanosheets and then prepare the polypropylene/coir fiber biocomposites. As compared with unmodified coir fibers, graphene decorated coir fibers can remarkably reduce the friction and wear, with the lowest friction coefficient at 0.19 and wear rate at 3.5 × 10–7 g/r. The excellent friction-reducing and wear-resistance performances are mainly attributed to three factors, namely the enhanced interfacial bonding, optimized crystallinity, and the formation of a transfer film. The transfer film is comprised of a polypropylene, PEI, and graphene nanosheets. This work provides a facile methodology for the design of high-performance polymer biocomposites with enhanced friction and wear behaviors. The results can also contribute to expand the practical applications of polymer biocomposites in industry.

Balanced Mechanical and Biotribological Properties of Polymer Composites Reinforced by a 3D Interlocked Si3N4 Nanowire Membrane

“…For the different matrixes, the polymer composites show better biotribological properties by increasing the number of layers for SNm preform. Figure f shows that the as-prepared 6LSNm-Bs/Pm-2 has a lower friction coefficient, exhibiting relatively excellent biotribological properties in fetal bovine serum medium. − The reason is that the introduction of 3D interlocked SNm can effectively improve the cohesion strength of the polymer matrix. Figure g–i shows the SEM images of the wear position of 1LSNm-Bs/Pm-2, 3LSNm-Bs/Pm-2, and 6LSNm-Bs/Pm-2, respectively.…”

Additive Manufacturing of Prostheses Using Forest-Based Composites

“…In addition to the dynamic testing, cyclic mechanical testing is also important for prosthetic applications, which need to be complemented in the future. Moisture susceptibility, water absorption, as well as friction and wear behavior [40] could potentially be important aspects which have not yet been examined. Due to the hydrophilic nature of MFC, the composite can take up moisture in a humid environment and make the composite susceptible to microbial growth [41,42].…”

Recent Progress on Carbon Nanomaterials for Resisting the Wear Damages

“…The synergistic interaction of graphene and coconut shell fibers promoted the crystallization of polypropylene chain, resulting in high hardness. The prepared composites obtained high interfacial bonding interactions and exhibited lower friction coefficients and wear rates [115].…”