Preparation,characterization, and biodegradability of renewable resource‐based composites from recycled polylactide bioplastic and sisal fibers

The biodegradability, morphology, and mechanical thermal properties of composite materials composed of polylactide (PLA) and sisal fibers (SFs) were evaluated. Composites containing acrylic acid‐grafted PLA (PLA‐g‐AA/SF) exhibited noticeably superior mechanical properties because of greater compatibility between the two components. The dispersion of SF in the PLA‐g‐AA matrix was highly homogeneous as a result of ester formation and the consequent creation of branched and crosslinked macromolecules between the carboxyl groups of PLA‐g‐AA and hydroxyl groups in SF. Furthermore, with a lower melt temperature, the PLA‐g‐AA/SF composite is more readily processed than PLA/SF. Both composites were buried in soil to assess biodegradability. Both the PLA and the PLA‐g‐AA/SF composite films were eventually completely degraded, and severe disruption of film structure was observed after 6–10 weeks of incubation. Although the degree of weight loss after burial indicated that both materials were biodegradable even with high levels of SF, the higher water resistance of PLA‐g‐AA/SF films indicates that they were more biodegradable than those made of PLA. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Control of biodegradability of poly(3‐hydroxybutyric acid) film with grafting acrylic acid and thermal remolding

Radiation‐induced graft polymerization of acrylic acid (AAc) on poly(3‐hydroxybutyric acid) (PHB) film was carried out and the resulting film was thermally‐remolded. The PHB films grafted with AAc (PHB‐g‐AAc) having a degree of grafting higher than 5% completely lost the enzymatic degradability. The enzymatic degradability of the grafted film was recovered by thermal remolding. The highest enzymatic degradation rate was observed at degree of grafting of 10% after thermal remolding. The PHB‐g‐AAc films and thermally‐remolded PHB‐g‐AAc films were characterized by contact angle and differential scanning calorimetry. The enzymatic degradability of PHB‐g‐AAc films was lost by the grafted AAc, which covered the surface of PHB film. The acceleration of enzymatic degradation in the remolded PHB‐g‐AAc films was mainly caused by decrease of crystallinity of PHB by dispread of grafted AAc during thermal remolding. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 3856–3861, 2006     

Preparation and characterizations of polycaprolactone/green coconut fiber composites

The mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of polycaprolactone (PCL) and green coconut fiber (GCF) composites were evaluated. Blends containing acrylic acid‐grafted PCL (PCL‐g‐AA/GCF) exhibited noticeably better mechanical properties due to better compatibility between the two components. The dispersion of GCF in the PCL‐g‐AA matrix was significantly more homogeneous due to the creation of branched and cross‐linked macromolecules via reactions between carboxyl groups in PCL‐g‐AA and hydroxyl groups in GCF. The tensile strength of the PCL‐g‐AA/GCF composites at break was considerably greater than that of PCL/GCF composites. In addition, the PCL‐g‐AA/GCF blend was more easily processed due to lower melt viscosity. Biodegradation tests were performed with each composite in an Acinetobacter baumannii BCRC 15556 environment. The mass of both composites was reduced by the GCF content within 4 weeks. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Surface‐grafting of ground rubber tire by poly acrylic acid via self‐initiated free radical polymerization and composites with epoxy thereof

Commercially available recycled ground rubber tire (GRT) particles, found to contain persistent mechano‐free radicals confirmed by electron paramagnetic spectroscopy for the first time self‐initiates free radical polymerization of acrylic acid (AA). The poly acrylic acid (PAA) grafted GRT (PAA‐g‐GRT) was confirmed by Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Epoxy composites using the PAA‐g‐GRT as filler were prepared and their mechanical properties were studied. The PAA‐g‐GRT/epoxy composite showed higher mechanical properties with an increase of modulus up to 180% as compared with the neat GRT/epoxy composite. Surface morphology of GRT, neat GRT/epoxy, and PAA‐g‐GRT/epoxy composites were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. This technology introduces a new concept to functional and reactive recycling and the cost effective utilization of renewable resource green materials. POLYM. COMPOS., 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Wood‐thermoplastic composites from wood flour and high‐density polyethylene

High‐density polyethylene/wood flour (HDPE/WF) composites were prepared by a twin‐screw extruder. The effects of WF, silane coupling agents, polymer compatibilizers, and their content on the comprehensive properties of the WF/HDPE composites have been studied in detail, including the mechanical, thermal, and rheological properties and microstructure. The results showed that both silane coupling agents and polymer compatibilizers could improve the interfacial adhesion between WF and HDPE, and further improve the properties of WF/HDPE composites, especially with AX8900 as a compatibilizer giving higher impact strength, and with HDPE‐g‐MAH as a compatibilizer giving the best tensile and flexural properties. The resultant composite has higher strength (tensile strength = 51.03 MPa) and better heat deflection temperature (63.1°C). © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Preparation of cellulose acetate butyrate and poly(ethylene glycol) copolymer to blend with poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate)

A two‐step procedure was used to synthesize the cellulose acetate butyrate and poly(ethylene glycol) graft copolymer (CAB‐g‐PEG). By choosing the appropriate composition, the crosslinked graft copolymer or not could be obtained. Then, the CAB‐g‐PEG copolymer was blended with poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), to further improve the mechanical properties of PHB. The results indicated that PHB and CAB‐g‐PEG that were not crosslinked were miscible over the entire composition range. As the CAB‐g‐PEG copolymer increased in the PHB/CAB‐g‐PEG blends, the melting temperature of the blends decreased, the crystallization of PHB became more difficult, and the crystallinity of the blend and PHB phase all decreased. The tensile properties and impact strength of the PHB/CAB‐g‐PEG blends were superior to the PHB/CAB blends. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 1471–1478, 2006     

Effects of compatibilizers on the physico‐mechanical and foaming properties of polyproylene/wood‐fiber composites

Polypropylene (PP)/wood‐fiber (WF) composites were prepared by intermeshing co‐rotating twin screw extruder, and microcellular closed cell PP/WF composite foams were prepared by using pressure‐quenched batch process method. The effect of various compatibilizers on the mechanical properties, morphology, crystallinity, rheological properties, and foamability of PP/WF composites were investigated. The results showed that PP/WF composite with addition of PP‐g‐MA as compatibilizer had the highest tensile strength, stiffness, and crystallinity, after foaming, it showed highest relative density and cell density, as well as the smallest cell size. Higher crystallinity of PP/WF composites, showed higher stiffness and higher relative density. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 19:250–257, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effect of maleic anhydride/vinyltrimethoxysilane‐co‐grafting polypropylene on the properties of wood‐flour/polypropylene composites by electron‐beam preirradiation

The electron‐beam preirradiation and reactive extrusion technologies were used to prepare maleic anhydride (MAH)/vinyltrimethoxysilane (VTMS)‐co‐grafting polypropylene (PP) as a high‐performance compatibilizer for wood‐flour/PP composites. The grafting content, chemical structure, and crystallization behavior of the compatibilizers were characterized through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and an extraction method. The effects of the compatibilizers on the mechanical properties, water absorption, morphological structure, and torque rheological behavior of the composites were investigated comparatively. The experimental results demonstrate that MAH/VTMS‐g‐PP markedly enhanced the mechanical properties of the composites. Compared with MAH‐g‐PP and VTMS‐g‐PP, MAH/VTMS‐g‐PP clearly showed synergistic effects on the increasing mechanical properties, water absorption, and compatibility of the composites. Scanning electron microscopy further confirmed that the adhesion and dispersion of wood flours in the composites were effectively improved by MAH/VTMS‐g‐PP. These results were also proven by the best water resistance of the wood‐flour/PP composites with MAH/VTMS‐g‐PP. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Characterizing composite of multiwalled carbon nanotubes and POE‐g‐AA prepared via melting method

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) with acyl chloride functional groups and a metallocene polyethylene–octene elastomer (POE) or an acrylic acid‐grafted metallocene polyethylene–octene elastomer (POE‐g‐AA) were used to prepare hybrids (POE/MWNTs or POE‐g‐AA/MWNTs) using a melting method, with a view to identify a hybrid with improved thermal properties. Hybrids were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ¹³C solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetry analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. MWNTs were purified using acid treatment, and results showed that ? COOH of MWNTs increased with acid treatment time and leveled off after 24‐h treatment. Much better dispersion and homogeneity of MWNTs was obtained with POE‐g‐AA in place of POE as the matrix. As a result, tensile strength at break of POE‐g‐AA/MWNTs was significantly improved even at 5 wt % MWNT content. Moreover, temperature of thermal decomposition for POE‐g‐AA/MWNTs was about 40–50°C higher than that for POE‐g‐AA, indicating higher thermal stability. This was because the carboxylic acid groups in POE‐g‐AA and the acyl chloride functional sites in MWNTs allow the formation of stronger chemical bonds. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 1328–1337, 2007     

Polyester and multiwalled carbon nanotube composites: characterization,electrical conductivity and antibacterial activity

Poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) composites containing multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were prepared using a melt‐blending process and used to examine the effects on the composite structure and properties of replacing PBT with acrylic acid‐grafted PBT (PBT‐g‐AA). PBT‐g‐AA and multihydroxyl‐functionalized MWCNTs (MWCNTs‐OH) were used to improve the compatibility and dispersibility of the MWCNTs within the PBT matrix. The composites were characterized morphologically using transmission electron microscopy, and chemically using Fourier transform infrared, solid‐state ¹³C NMR and UV‐visible absorption spectroscopy. The antibacterial and electrical conductivity properties of the composites were also evaluated. MWCNTs or MWCNTs‐OH enhanced the antibacterial activity and electrical conductivity of the PBT/MWCNT or PBT‐g‐AA/MWCNTs‐OH composites. The functionalized PBT‐g‐AA/MWCNTs‐OH composites showed markedly enhanced antibacterial properties and electrical conductivity due to the formation of ester bonds from the condensation of the carboxylic acid groups of PBT‐g‐AA with the hydroxyl groups of MWCNTs‐OH. The optimal proportion of MWCNTs‐OH in the composites was 1 wt%; in excess of this amount, the compatibility between the organic and inorganic phases was compromised. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Environmental durability of banana‐fiber‐reinforced phenol formaldehyde composites

We explored the environmental aging behavior of banana‐fiber‐reinforced phenol formaldehyde (PF) composites. The composites were subjected to water aging, thermal aging, soil burial, and outdoor weathering. The effects of chemical modification and hybridization with glass fibers on the degradability of the composites in different environments were analyzed. The extent of degradation was measured by changes in the weight and tensile properties after aging. Absorbed water increased the weight of water‐aged composites, and chemical treatments and hybridization decreased water absorption. The tensile strength and modulus of the banana/PF composites were increased by water aging, whereas the strength and modulus of the glass/PF composites were decreased by water aging. As the glass‐fiber loading was increased in the hybrid composites, the increase in strength by water aging was reduced, and at higher glass‐fiber loadings, a decrease in strength was observed. The tensile properties of the composites were increased by oven aging. The percentage weight loss was higher for soil‐aged samples than for samples weathered outdoors. The weight loss and tensile strength of the glass/PF composites and banana/glass/hybrid/PF composites were much lower than those of the banana/PF composites. Silane treatment, NaOH treatment, and acetylation improved the resistance of the banana/PF composites on outdoor exposure and soil burial. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 2521–2531, 2006     

Synthesis,characterization and swelling behaviors of hydroxyethyl cellulose‐g‐poly(acrylic acid)/attapulgite superabsorbent composite

In this work, a series of novel hydroxyethyl cellulose‐ g‐poly(acrylic acid)/attapulgite (HEC‐g‐PAA/APT) superabsorbent composites were prepared through the graft polymerization of hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), partially neutralized acrylic acid (AA), and attapulgite (APT) in aqueous solution, and the composites were characterized by means of Fourier‐transform spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electronmicroscopy. The effects of polymerization variables including concentrations of the initiator and crosslinker and APT content on water absorbency were studied, and the swelling properties in various pH solutions as well as the swelling kinetics in various saline solutions were also systematically evaluated. Results showed that the introduction of 5 wt% APT into HEC‐g‐PAA polymeric network could improve both water absorbency and water absorption rate of the superabsorbent composites. In addition, the superabsorbent composites retained high water absorbency over a wide pH range of 4–10, and the swelling kinetics of the superabsorbent composites in CaCl₂ and FeCl₃ solutions exhibited a remarkable overshooting phenomenon. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers     

On promoting intercalation and exfoliation of bentonite in high‐density polyethylene by grafting acrylic acid

Acrylic acid (AA) grafted high‐density polyethylene (HDPE)/bentonite (BT) composites and HDPE/BT composites were prepared via melt compounding. XRD and TEM results indicated that the modification of AA grafting promoted the dispersion and intercalation of BT in HDPE matrix; IR proved that there were interactions between AA and BT sheets. Consequently, with increasing BT content, the tensile strength and Young's modulus of HDPE‐g‐AA/BT nanocomposites increased, while that of HDPE/BT composites decreased. Moreover, the addition of BT to HDPE‐g‐AA decreased the ability of crystallization of the matrix. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 2429–2434, 2005     

Processing and properties of nano‐ and macro‐hydroxyapatite/poly(ethylene‐co‐acrylic acid) composites

Hydroxyapatite (HAp)/poly(ethylene‐co‐acrylic acid) composites have been synthesized by a solution‐based method, using nanosized (n‐HAp) and coarse hydroxyapatite (c‐HAp) particles, respectively. X‐ray diffraction study has indicated the development of compressive and tensile stresses in composites because of the thermal expansion mismatch between the particles and polymer matrix. Fourier transform infrared absorption spectra and thermal analysis have showed the presence of strong interfacial bonding between the particles and polymer. The surface roughness and the homogeneous dispersion of HAp particles in the polymer matrix have been observed by scanning electron microscopy. A comparison in mechanical properties between composites prepared with n‐HAp and c‐HAp particles, respectively, has been studied. Nanosized particles contribute excellent improvement of mechanical properties of the composites rather than the coarse particles. The uniform dispersion of HAp particles, followed by the improvement in mechanical properties of the composite, provides a means of preparing HAp/polymer composites for low load‐bearing implant applications. POLYM. COMPOS., 27:633–641, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Polypropylene/polypropylene‐grafted acrylic acid copolymer/ethylene–Acrylic acid copolymer ternary blends for hydrophilic polypropylene

Ternary blends of polypropylene (PP), a polypropylene‐grafted acrylic acid copolymer (PP‐g‐AA), and an ethylene–acrylic acid copolymer (EAA) were prepared by melt blending. The surfaces of films with different contents of these three components were characterized with contact‐angle measurements. Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis were used to characterize the microstructure, melting and crystalline behavior, and thermal stability of the blends. The contact angles of the PP/PP‐g‐AA blends decreased monotonically with increasing PP‐g‐AA content. With the incorporation of EAA, the contact angles of the PP/PP‐g‐AA/EAA ternary blends decreased with increasing EAA content. When the concentration of EAA was higher than 15 wt %, the contact angles of the ternary blends began to increase. Scanning electron microscopy observations confirmed that PP‐g‐AA acted as a compatibilizer and improved the compatibility between PP and EAA in the ternary blends. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis suggested that acrylic acid moieties could act as nucleating agents for PP in the polymer blends. Thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermogravimetry confirmed the optimal blend ratio for the PP/PP‐g‐AA/EAA ternary blends was 70/15/15. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 436–442, 2006     

Study on the properties of polyethylene–octene elastomer/wood flour blends

In the present study, the properties of metallocene polyethylene–octene elastomer (POE) and wood flour (WF) blends were examined by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), an Instron mechanical tester, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the mechanical properties of POE were obviously lowered, due to the poor compatibility between the two phases, when it was blended with WFs. A fine dispersion and homogeneity of WF in the polymer matrix could be obtained when acrylic acid‐grafted POE (POE‐g‐AA) was used to replace POE for manufacture of the blends. This better dispersion is due to the formation of branched and crosslinked macromolecules since the POE‐g‐AA copolymer had carboxyl groups to react with the hydroxyls. This is reflected in the mechanical and thermal properties of the blends. In comparison with a pure POE/WF blend, the increase in tensile strength at break was remarkable for the POE‐g‐AA/WF blend. The POE‐g‐AA/WF blends are more easily processed than are the POE/WF blends, since the former had a lower melt viscosity than that of the latter. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 1919–1924, 2003     

Analysis of mechanical,thermal, and morphological behavior of polycaprolactone/wood flour blends

In the present study, the properties of polycaprolactone (PCL) and wood flour (WF) blends were examined by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Instron mechanical tester, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). As for results, the mechanical properties of PCL were lowered obviously, due to the poor compatibility between the two phases, when it was blended with wood flours. A fine dispersion and homogeneity of wood flour in the polymer matrix could be obtained when the acrylic acid grafted PCL (PCL‐g‐AA) was used to replace PCL for manufacture of blends. This better dispersion is due to the formation of branched and crosslinked macromolecules since the PCL‐g‐AA copolymer had carboxyl groups to react with the hydroxyls. This is reflected in the mechanical and thermal properties of the blends. In comparison with pure PCL/WF blend, the increase in tensile strength at break was remarkable for PCL‐g‐AA/WF blend. The PCL‐g‐AA/WF blends are more easily processed than the PCL/WF ones since the former had lower melt viscosity than the latter. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 1000–1006, 2004     

The effect of addition of poly(propylene‐g‐acrylic acid) on the morphology of poly(vinyl methylether) and isotactic polypropylene blend

The interfacial adhesion of blend of isotactic polypropylene/poly(vinyl methylether) (i‐PP/PVME) has been improved by the addition of poly(propylene‐g‐acrylic acid) (PP‐g‐AA) as a compatibilizing agent. The phase morphologies of the blends are investigated by optical microscopy (OM) and lateral force microscopy (LFM). The i‐PP/PVME (80/20) blend with no addition of PP‐g‐AA from extrusion process shows a coarse morphology with the dispersed domain size as large as several micrometers; After the addition of 2.5% PP‐g‐AA in the blends, the dispersed PVME domain size decreases greatly. The addition of 5% PP‐g‐AA results in a homogeneous morphology. The blending of PP‐g‐AA with PVME reduces the crystallization temperature of PP‐g‐AA, which is different from that of blending i‐PP with PVME. The increase of the interfacial adhesion is attributed to the specific intermolecular interaction between the acrylic acid group of PP‐g‐AA and the ether group of PVME. The specific interaction is studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 4098–4103, 2006     

Preparation and characterization of composites: EPDM‐g‐AA/CaCO3

In this study a new method was applied to form crosslinking networks in the ethylene‐propylene‐diene terpolymer (EPDM) matrix with calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) particles, which were chemically treated with acrylic acid (AA). The tensile test showed that the tensile strength and the elongation at break of the composites were improved significantly, and that when the content of CaCO₃ was about 20 wt% in the composites the maximum tensile properties were achieved. The results of swell and solution tests showed that the composites had an evident crosslinking structure. The results of ATR‐FTIR spectrum proved that the acid–base reaction between CaCO₃ and AA had occurred. The SEM photos show that an interfacial adhesion between CaCO₃ and copolymer was good. The TGA curves show that the composites had a new change in mass between 650°C and 750°C, which might be the decomposition temperature of calcium acrylic acid. POLYM. COMPOS., 26:587–592, 2005. © 2005 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effect of polyethylene‐graft‐maleic anhydride as a compatibilizer on the mechanical and tribological behaviors of ultrahigh‐molecular‐weight polyethylene/copper composites

Ultrahigh‐molecular‐weight polyethylene/copper (UHMWPE/Cu) composites compatibilized with polyethylene‐graft‐maleic anhydride (PE‐g‐MAH) were prepared by compression molding. The effects of the compatibilizer on the mechanical, thermal, and tribological properties of the UHMWPE/Cu composites were investigated. These properties of the composites were evaluated at various compositions, and worn steel surfaces and composite surfaces were examined with scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The incorporation of PE‐g‐MAH reduced the melting points of the composites and increased their crystallinity to some extent. Moreover, the inclusion of the PE‐g‐MAH compatibilizer greatly increased the tensile rupture strength and tensile modulus of the composites, and this improved the wear resistance of the composites. These improvements in the mechanical and tribological behavior of the ultrahigh‐molecular‐weight‐polyethylene‐matrix composites with the PE‐g‐MAH compatibilizer could be closely related to the enhanced crosslinking function of the composites in the presence of the compatibilizer. Moreover, the compatibilizer had an effect on the transfer and oxidation behavior of the filler Cu particulates, which could be critical to the application of metallic‐particulate‐filled polymer composites in engineering. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 948–955, 2004