Wheat gluten composites reinforced with coconut fiber

Coconut fiber-reinforced wheat gluten (WG) biocomposites were fabricated. The coconut fibers (CCFs) were chemically modified by either sodium hydroxide or silane treatment, as well as following the alkali surface treatment with a silane treatment. (3-triethoxysilylpropyl)-t-butylcarbamate (carbamate silane), which is a masked isocyanate functional silane, was used for the first time to improve interfacial adhesion between WG and natural fibers. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) analyses were employed to prove the presence of the silane on silane-treated coconut fiber (SCCF) and alkali-followed by silane-treated fiber (ASCCF). It was found that ASCCF has more silane content on the fiber surface than SCCF. The mechanical properties of composites with 15 mass% fiber loading were assessed by three-point bending tests. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to investigate fracture surface characteristics of composites. The WG/ASCCF composite provided an 80% increase in strength, and showed superior fiber–matrix interfacial adhesion.     

Biopolymer composites of wheat gluten with silica and alumina

Two composite systems were explored to assess the effect of particle dispersion on the properties of filled wheat gluten composites. Nanosilica particles and micro-alumina particles were combined with several silane coupling agents by various methods to perform a broad brush survey of chemical and physical interactions. Thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) was used to assess surface coverage on coated particles. Electron microscopy (scanning and transmission) techniques were used to assess particle dispersion and surface interactions. Producing the silica particles in the wheat gluten matrix led to better physical properties, as measured by 3-point bending, than producing the silica particles first, and then mixing them into the wheat gluten. Similarly, coating the alumina particles with silane coupling agents in the wheat gluten matrix led to better mechanical properties than first coating the alumina with silane and then mixing the coated particles into the wheat gluten.