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Črešnar KP, Plohl O, Zemljič LF. Functionalised Fibres as a Coupling Reinforcement Agent in Recycled Polymer Composites. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 17:2739. [PMID: 38894002 PMCID: PMC11174083 DOI: 10.3390/ma17112739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
This study addresses the structure-property relationship within the green concept of wood fibres with cellulose nanofibre functionalised composites (nW-PPr) containing recycled plastic polyolefins, in particular, polypropylene (PP-r). It focuses especially on the challenges posed by nanoscience in relation to wood fibres (WF) and explores possible changes in the thermal properties, crystallinity, morphology, and mechanical properties. In a two-step methodology, wood fibres (50% wt%) were first functionalised with nanocellulose (nC; 1-9 wt%) and then, secondly, processed into composites using an extrusion process. The surface modification of nC improves its compatibility with the polymer matrix, resulting in improved adhesion, mechanical properties, and inherent biodegradability. The effects of the functionalised WF on the recycled polymer composites were investigated systematically and included analyses of the structure, crystallisation, morphology, and surface properties, as well as thermal and mechanical properties. Using a comprehensive range of techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), zeta potential measurements, and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), this study aims to unravel the intricate interplay of factors affecting the performance and properties of the developed nanocellulose-functionalised wood fibre-polymer composites. The interfacial adhesion of the nW-PPr polymer composites, crystallisation process, and surface properties was improved due to the formation of an H-bond between the nW coupling agent and neat PP-r. In addition, the role of nW (1.0 wt%) as a nucleating agent resulted in increased crystallinity, or, on the other hand, promoted the interfacial interaction with the highest amount (3.0% wt%, 9.0% wt%) of nW in the PP-r preferentially between the nW and neat PP-r, and also postponed the crystallisation temperature. The changes in the isoelectric point of the nW-PPr polymer composites compared to the neat PP-r polymer indicate the acid content of the polymer composite and, consequently, the final surface morphology. Finally, the higher storage modulus of the composites compared to neat r-PP shows a dependence on improved crystallinity, morphology, and adhesion. It was clear that the results of this study contribute to a better understanding of sustainable materials and can drive the development of environmentally friendly composites applied in packaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klementina Pušnik Črešnar
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia; (O.P.); (L.F.Z.)
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Olivija Plohl
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia; (O.P.); (L.F.Z.)
| | - Lidija Fras Zemljič
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia; (O.P.); (L.F.Z.)
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Yu W, Qiu R, Li M, Lei W. Effects of Wood Content and Modification on Properties of Wood Flour/Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate Biocomposites. Molecules 2023; 28:8057. [PMID: 38138546 PMCID: PMC10746050 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28248057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Biodegradable polymers have recently become attractive and have been increasingly used as matrix materials to replace fossil plastics due to concerns about the environmental issue. However, their application areas are limited due to their high costs and natural properties. In this study, we fabricated ecofriendly and economical polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) composites loaded with various concentrations of wood flour (WF) to investigate the effects on the PBAT and WF interfaces as well as the physical properties of the WF/PBAT biocomposites. Then, WF was acetylated with acetic anhydride, and the effect of WF acetylation on the mechanical and thermal properties of the biocomposites were investigated. The results showed that the tensile strength, tensile modulus, flexural strength and flexural modulus increased with WF loading in the composites, and acetylation could not only further increase these properties, but also increase the impact strength and elongation at break. The incorporation of WF would weaken the thermal stability of PBAT, but the thermal stability of the biocomposite could be improved after WF acetylation. The cold crystallization temperature and hydrophobicity of the WF/PBAT samples would be increased with the increasing load of the WF, while the melting enthalpy and the crystallinity of the samples reduced gradually. A morphological analysis of the modified composites revealed that the matrix exhibited greater interfacial interactions with the WF compared to the WF/PBAT. Considering the much lower cost of WF compared to PBAT, the improved properties of WF/PBAT biocomposites will make it economically competitive with other commercial polymers, and these biocomposites should have much wider application areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wangwang Yu
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Nanjing Vocational University of Industry Technology, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Rui Qiu
- College of Science, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Mengya Li
- College of Science, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Wen Lei
- College of Science, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
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Kelly-Walley J, Ortega Z, McCourt M, Millar B, Suárez L, Martin P. Mechanical Performance of Rotationally Molded Multilayer mLDPE/Banana-Fiber Composites. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 16:6749. [PMID: 37895735 PMCID: PMC10608177 DOI: 10.3390/ma16206749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
The incorporation of materials different from the polymer within the rotational molding process usually results in lowered mechanical properties, where impact strength is of particular concern. In order to overcome this issue, multilayer structures of virgin polyethylene (PE) and banana fiber composites were prepared to determine the impact of the different layers on the performance of the final part. Cycle time has been studied to identify the influence of the addition of fibers in the process. The tensile, flexural and impact properties have been analyzed, finding improvements in Young's modulus of up to 13%, although at the expense of significant decreases in impact strength. A reduction in the fiber size due to the pulverization process was observed, which affected the rheological and mechanical behavior of the composite. The beneficial effects of working in multiple layers have been demonstrated in this work, where composites with up to 5% of banana fiber have been produced in two-layer structures. Finally, the need to add neat polyethylene in the external layer is also highlighted as a way to counteract the reductions in mechanical properties, particularly for flexural elastic modulus and tensile strength, and this also helps with the drop in impact behavior to a lower extent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jake Kelly-Walley
- Matrix Polymers, Unit 2, Compass Industrial Park, Spindus Road, Speke, Liverpool L24 1YA, UK
- Polymer Processing Research Centre, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Queen’s University Belfast, Ashby Building, Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT9 5AH, Northern Ireland, UK; (M.M.); (B.M.); (P.M.)
| | - Zaida Ortega
- Departamento de Ingeniería de Procesos, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Edificio de Ingenierías, Campus Universitario de Tafira Baja, 35017 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Mark McCourt
- Polymer Processing Research Centre, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Queen’s University Belfast, Ashby Building, Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT9 5AH, Northern Ireland, UK; (M.M.); (B.M.); (P.M.)
| | - Bronagh Millar
- Polymer Processing Research Centre, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Queen’s University Belfast, Ashby Building, Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT9 5AH, Northern Ireland, UK; (M.M.); (B.M.); (P.M.)
| | - Luis Suárez
- Departamento de Ingeniería Mecánica, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Edificio de Ingenierías, Campus Universitario de Tafira Baja, 35017 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain;
| | - Peter Martin
- Polymer Processing Research Centre, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Queen’s University Belfast, Ashby Building, Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT9 5AH, Northern Ireland, UK; (M.M.); (B.M.); (P.M.)
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Ābele A, Merijs-Meri R, Žiganova M, Iesalniece Z, Bochkov I. Effect of Agricultural Biomass Residues on the Properties of Recycled Polypropylene/Polyethylene Composites. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:2672. [PMID: 37376318 DOI: 10.3390/polym15122672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of the study was to assess the usefulness of agricultural biomass residues as reinforcement in recycled polymer matrices. In this study, recycled polypropylene and high-density polyethylene composites (rPPPE) filled with three types of biomass residues, sweet clover straws (SCS), buckwheat straws (BS) and rapeseed straws (RS), are presented. The effects of the fiber type and the fibers content on the rheological behavior, mechanical properties (including tensile, flexural and impact strength), thermal stability and moisture absorbance were determined, in addition to morphological analysis. It was revealed that the addition of SCS, BS or RS increased the materials' stiffness and strength. The reinforcement effect increased as the loading of the fibers was increased, especially for BS composites in the flexural test. After the moisture absorbance test, it was found that the reinforcement effect slightly increased for the composites with 10% fibers but decreases with 40% fibers. The results highlight that the selected fibers are a feasible reinforcement for recycled polyolefin blend matrices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnese Ābele
- Faculty of Materials Science and Applied Chemistry, Institute of Polymer Materials, Riga Technical University, LV-1048 Riga, Latvia
| | - Remo Merijs-Meri
- Faculty of Materials Science and Applied Chemistry, Institute of Polymer Materials, Riga Technical University, LV-1048 Riga, Latvia
| | - Madara Žiganova
- Faculty of Materials Science and Applied Chemistry, Institute of Polymer Materials, Riga Technical University, LV-1048 Riga, Latvia
| | - Zanda Iesalniece
- Faculty of Materials Science and Applied Chemistry, Institute of Polymer Materials, Riga Technical University, LV-1048 Riga, Latvia
| | - Ivan Bochkov
- Faculty of Materials Science and Applied Chemistry, Institute of Polymer Materials, Riga Technical University, LV-1048 Riga, Latvia
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Bek M, Aulova A, Črešnar KP, Matkovič S, Kalin M, Perše LS. Long-Term Creep Compliance of Wood Polymer Composites: Using Untreated Wood Fibers as a Filler in Recycled and Neat Polypropylene Matrix. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14132539. [PMID: 35808584 PMCID: PMC9269643 DOI: 10.3390/polym14132539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Neat (NPP) and recycled (RPP) polypropylene matrix materials were used to prepare wood–polymer composites with untreated wood fibers up to 40 wt.%. Long-term creep properties obtained through the time-temperature superposition showed superior creep resistance of composites with NPP matrix. In part, this is attributed to their higher crystallinity and better interfacial adhesion caused by the formation of a transcrystalline layer. This difference resulted in up to 25% creep compliance reduction of composites with NPP matrix compared to composites with recycled (RPP) polypropylene matrix, which does not form a transcrystalline layer between the fibers and polymer matrix. Despite the overall inferior creep performance of composites with RPP matrix, from the 20 wt.% on, the creep compliance is comparable and even surpasses the creep performance of unfilled NPP matrix and can be a promising way to promote sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marko Bek
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.B.); (S.M.); (M.K.)
| | - Alexandra Aulova
- Department of Materials and Manufacturing Technology, Chalmers University of Technology, 41296 Gothenburg, Sweden;
| | | | - Sebastjan Matkovič
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.B.); (S.M.); (M.K.)
| | - Mitjan Kalin
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.B.); (S.M.); (M.K.)
| | - Lidija Slemenik Perše
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.B.); (S.M.); (M.K.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +386-1-6270-100
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Li J, Jia S, Yang D, Li X, Li D, Ye X, Guan P, Zhao Y. Reutilization of crystalline waste plastics for modified asphalt using twin‐screw extrusion: Polyethylene and polypropylene as typical subjects. J Appl Polym Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/app.52690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Junwei Li
- School of Materials Science and Engineering Tianjin Chengjian University Tianjin P. R. China
- Research Center Tianjin Key Laboratory of Building Green Functional Materials Tianjin P. R. China
| | - Shoubo Jia
- School of Materials Science and Engineering Tianjin Chengjian University Tianjin P. R. China
| | - Dan Yang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering Tianjin Chengjian University Tianjin P. R. China
| | - Xin Li
- Comprehensive Traffic Research Center Tianjin Institute of Transportation Science Tianjin P. R. China
| | - Dongdong Li
- Transportation Division Tianjin Transportation Infrastructure Maintenance Group Co. Ltd Tianjin P. R. China
| | - Xia Ye
- School of Materials Science and Engineering Tianjin Chengjian University Tianjin P. R. China
| | - Pengbing Guan
- School of Materials Science and Engineering Tianjin Chengjian University Tianjin P. R. China
| | - Yongke Zhao
- School of Materials Science and Engineering Tianjin Chengjian University Tianjin P. R. China
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Črešnar KP, Bek M, Luxbacher T, Brunčko M, Zemljič LF. Insight into the Surface Properties of Wood Fiber-Polymer Composites. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:polym13101535. [PMID: 34064585 PMCID: PMC8151087 DOI: 10.3390/polym13101535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The surface properties of wood fiber (WF) filled polymer composites depend on the filler loading and are closely related to the distribution and orientation in the polymer matrix. In this study, wood fibers (WF) were incorporated into thermoplastic composites based on non-recycled polypropylene (PP) and recycled (R-PP) composites by melt compounding and injection moulding. ATR-FTIR (attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) measurements clearly showed the propagation of WF functional groups at the surface layer of WF-PP/WF-R-PP composites preferentially with WF loading up to 30%. Optical microscopy and nanoindentation method confirmed the alignment of thinner skin layer of WF-PP/WF-R-PP composites with increasing WF addition. The thickness of the skin layer was mainly influenced by the WF loading. The effect of the addition of WF on modulus and hardness, at least at 30 and 40 wt.%, varies for PP and R-PP matrix. On the other hand, surface zeta potential measurements show increased hydrophilicity with increasing amounts of WF. Moreover, WF in PP/R-PP matrix is also responsible for the antioxidant properties of these composites as measured by DPPH (2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klementina Pušnik Črešnar
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia; (T.L.); (M.B.)
- Correspondence: (K.P.Č.); (L.F.Z.); Tel.: +386-2-220-7607 (K.P.Č.)
| | - Marko Bek
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | - Thomas Luxbacher
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia; (T.L.); (M.B.)
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
- Anton Paar GmbH, A-8054 Graz, Austria
| | - Mihael Brunčko
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia; (T.L.); (M.B.)
| | - Lidija Fras Zemljič
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia; (T.L.); (M.B.)
- Correspondence: (K.P.Č.); (L.F.Z.); Tel.: +386-2-220-7607 (K.P.Č.)
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