Melt-processed poly(vinyl alcohol) composites filled with microcrystalline cellulose from waste cotton fabrics

• Published in: Carbohydrate polymers Vol. 101; pp. 642 - 649
• Main Authors: Sun, Xunwen, Lu, Canhui, Liu, Yong, Zhang, Wei, Zhang, Xinxing
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 30.01.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Cellulose - chemistry; Composites; Cotton Fiber; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Industrial Waste; Mechanical Phenomena; Melt-processing; Microcrystalline cellulose; Poly(vinyl alcohol); Polymer industry, paints, wood; Polyvinyl Alcohol - chemistry; Technology of polymers; Transition Temperature; Waste cotton fabrics; Composites; Melt-processing; Poly(vinyl alcohol); Microcrystalline cellulose; Waste cotton fabrics; Microcrystalline material; Mixing; Waste treatment; Cellulose; Dispersion reinforced material; Composite material; Thermal stability; Upgrading; Manufacturing; Cotton fiber; Mechanical properties; Experimental study; Polymer filler interaction; Hydrolysis; Polyvinylalcohol; Dynamic mechanical properties; Chemical treatment; Concentration effect; Solid waste; Growth from melt; Woven material; Hydrogen bond
• ISSN: 0144-8617; 1879-1344
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2013.09.088

•Making value-added ecocomposites from waste textiles for industrial application.•Melt-processing of PVA and microcrystalline cellulose blends via plasticizing.•MCC was used to enhance melt-processability and mechanical properties of PVA. Waste cotton fabrics (WCFs), which are generated in a large volume from the textile industry, have caused serious disposal problem. Recycling WCFs into value-added products is one of the vital measures for both environmental and economic benefits. In this study, microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was prepared by acid hydrolysis of WCFs, and used as reinforcement for melt-processed poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) with water and formamide as plasticizer. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the melt-processed PVA/MCC composites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectra, Raman spectra, differential scanning calorimetry, thermal gravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, tensile tests and dynamic mechanical analysis. The results indicated that MCC could establish strong interfacial interaction with PVA through hydrogen bonding. As a result, the crystallization of PVA was confined and its melting temperature was decreased, which was beneficial for the melt-processing of PVA. Compared with the unfilled PVA, the PVA/MCC composites exhibited remarkable improvement in modulus and tensile strength.