Mechanical Properties, Morphology, Thermal Performance, Crystallization Behavior, and Kinetics of PP/Microcrystal Cellulose Composites Compatibilized by Two Different Compatibilizers

Abstract

Polypropylene (PP)/microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) composites and PP/MCC composites modified by maleic anhydride grafted PP (PP-g-MA) and methyl acrylic acid glycidyl ester grafted PP (PP-g-GMA) respectively were prepared in a twin-screw extruder. The mechanical properties, morphology, and thermal performance were investigated. The nonisothermal crystallization, melting behavior, and nonisothermal crystallization kinetics were investigated by DSC. The results indicated that the addition of MCC had led to the increase of the tensile strength, impact strength, and flexural strength of PP. PP-g-GMA modification was more conducive to the improvement in tensile strength, impact strength, and flexural strength. The three types of PP/MCC composites have higher thermal decomposition temperatures, Vicat softening temperatures, and dimensional stability. Nonisothermal crystallizations of PP/MCC composites were in accordance with tridimensional growth with heterogeneous nucleation. Meanwhile, MCC was acted as the nucleating agent in PP matrix, which increased the crystallization temperature. PP-g-GMA further increased the crystallization temperature while PP-g-MA weakened the heterogeneous nucleation effect of MCC. Avrami equation and Mo method give a satisfactory description of the crystallization kinetics process. The activation energy of crystallization, nucleation constant, and fold surface free energy of PP were markedly reduced in PP/MCC composites and its compatibilized composites. The value of F( T) systematically increased with increasing relative degree of crystallinity. The addition of microcrystalline cellulose has greatly reduced the spherulitic size of PP.

Biodegradable Plastics Prepared from Poly(lactic acid), Poly(butylene succinate) and Microcrystalline Cellulose Extracted from Waste-Cotton Fabric with a Chain Extender

“…Although MCC had a lower thermal stability than either the PLA or PBS, the char residue of MCC likely hindered the diffusivity and permeability of combustible gases into the polymer matrix. Indeed, decomposed MCC formed coke was previously reported to be evenly dispersed to the surface and inside of polypropylene (PP)/MCC composites, which effectively hindered the release of PP decomposition products [1,38]. Consequently, MCC may be used as a heat-resistant modifier in the PLA/PBS blends to give PLA/ PBS/MCC composites with an enhanced thermal stability.…”

Mechanical, Morphological, and Thermal Properties of Nutshell and Microcrystalline Cellulose Filled High-Density Polyethylene Composites

“…The better dispersion and adhesion between MCC-nutshell and polymer overlapped with results from the mechanical properties of these composites. For high MCC loadings, the MCC-filled composites exhibited lower interfacial adhesion in some studies (Kiziltas et al 2010;Zhang et al 2011;Haafiz et al 2013;Zulkifli et al 2015).…”

In situ fabrication of cellulose nanocrystal‐silica hybrids and its application in UHMWPE: Rheological, thermal, and wear resistance properties

“…). The increasing VST provides a superior dimensional stability of the materials in some heating environments, and it also represents that the materials possess a higher rigidity and a better deformation resistance under a higher operation temperature . The VST of the UHMWPE/PEG is approximately 75.1°C, and it increased to the highest 79.3°C with the addition of 3 phr CNC and then decreased with the increased amount of CNC.…”