Preparation and characterization of bamboo fiber-graft-lauryl methacrylate and its composites with polypropylene

• Published in: Journal of applied polymer science Vol. 130; no. 4; pp. 2377 - 2382
• Main Authors: Chen, Qinhui, Mao, Xinggong, Xue, Hanyu, Deng, Yi, Lin, Jinhuo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken, NJ Blackwell Publishing Ltd 15.11.2013; Wiley; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Composites; Exact sciences and technology; fibers; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; grafting; Materials science; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Polymers; polyolefins; Technology of polymers; fibers; Alkyl methacrylate polymer; Propylene polymer; Fiber reinforced material; grafting; Plant fiber; Mechanical properties; Tensile property; Experimental study; Property processing relationship; Composite material; Surface treatment; composites; Free radical polymerization; Impact strength; polyolefins; Natural fiber; Preparation; Olefin polymer; Bamboo; Graft polymers
• ISSN: 0021-8995; 1097-4628
• DOI: 10.1002/app.39347

ABSTRACT In this study, lauryl methacrylate grafted onto bamboo fibers (BF‐g‐LM) was prepared to improve the interfacial compatibility between hydrophilic bamboo fibers (BFs) and hydrophobic plastic. The lauryl methacrylate (LM) was initiated by benzoxyl peroxide (BPO) and grafted onto BFs via a free‐radical chain‐transfer reaction. LM was grafted onto BFs with ether bonds, and differential scanning calorimetry indicated that the ether pyrolysis of BF‐g‐LM occurred at 280°C. The optimum preparation conditions were obtained as follows: 0.30 g of pretreated bamboo flour was immersed in 0.225 mol/L LM. The reaction was then initiated by 0.025 mol/L BPO, and this reaction was sustained for 4 h at 80°C. BF‐g‐LM served as coupling agent between the BFs and the polypropylene (PP) matrix, as shown by scanning electron microscopy analysis. The elongation at break of the BF/PP composites with BF‐g‐LM increased to two times compared to that of the BF/PP composites without BF‐g‐LM. The impact strength and maximum deflection also increased to 75 and 580%, respectively. In conclusion, BF‐g‐LM is a promising coupling agent that can be used in BF‐reinforced thermoplastic composites. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 2377–2382, 2013