Facile Preparation of Cellulose Fiber Reinforced Polypropylene Using Hybrid Filler Method

Abstract

Dried hybrid fillers comprised of silica/CNF were successfully synthesized in ethanol/water mixed solvents at room temperature without the usage of any precursor. The as-prepared fillers were incorporated with polypropylene (PP) as a polymer matrix through a twin-screw extruder. From surface morphology analysis, the agglomeration of the silica/CNF hybrid fillers was prevented in the PP matrix and they exhibited moderate transparency, around 17.9% and 44.6% T at 660 nm. Further, the chemical structures of the polymer composites were identified by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis. According to thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), the insertion of silica as a co-filler to the PP matrix resulted in an increase in its degradation onset temperature and also thermal stability. In addition, the mechanical properties of the PP composites also increased after the blending process with the hybrid fillers. Overall, sample PP-SS/CNF exhibited the highest tensile strength, which was 36.8 MPa, or around 73.55% compared to the pristine PP. The improvements in tensile strength were attributed to good dispersion and enhanced efficiency of the stress transfer mechanism between the silica and the cellulose within the PP matrix. However, elongation of the sample was reduced sharply due to the stiffening effect of the filler.

Effect of selectively localized layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanosheet on microstructure, toughness, rheological, and crystallization behaviors of PP/EVA/LDH ternary composites

“…Nanomaterials have some excellent properties due to the huge specific surface area, and the incorporation into polymers leads to improvement in thermal stability, rigidity and toughness of polymers, such as carbon nanotubes (CNT), graphene (GO), and silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ) nanoparticles. [17][18][19] The large specific surface area of nanoparticles makes it difficult to add them directly into polymers on a large scale due to the highly agglomerative nature, which has become a major difficulty in the current study of nanocomposites. How to significantly improve the desired properties without cracking the other properties of polymers is a key direction for future nanoparticle applications.…”

Designing Approach of Fiber‐Reinforced Polymer Composite by Combination of Fibrillated Olive Pomace and Marble Powder

“…The combination of inorganic particles and natural fibers can prevent the agglomeration of fibers through the interaction such as hydrogen bonding, resulting in better dispersion within the matrix and improved mechanical properties. [ 9,10 ]…”

“…The combination of inorganic particles and natural fibers can prevent the agglomeration of fibers through the interaction such as hydrogen bonding, resulting in better dispersion within the matrix and improved mechanical properties. [9,10] In Turkey, one of the world's leading producers and exporters of marble products and olive oil, there is a growing concern about environmental pollution caused by improper management of wastes generated from marble and olive oil industries. [11][12][13][14][15][16] Marble powder is a byproduct of marble processing, such as cutting, polishing, and washing processes.…”