Abstract
Cellulose fibers with different sizes would have wide applications in reinforced polymer composites if their fiber/matrix incompatibility and the processing problem could be overcome. In this study, micronized cellulose particles prepared from fluffy pulp fiber by ball milling are characterized and employed as reinforcing agents for cellulose particle/polypropylene (CP/PP) composites. The effect of cellulose particle size and filler loading on the composite performance are explored. Specifically, the processability, crystallization behavior, tensile property and water absorption of the composite are analyzed. Results reveal that small particles with low aspect ratio and large surface area are beneficial for improving the melting processing ability of the binary blends, promoting the crystallization behavior of the polymer matrix and decreasing the water absorption of the composite specimens. Moreover, composites produced with the milled particles exhibit improved tensile strength, modulus and elongation at break compared with those of the long pulp fiber/PP composite. Incorporation of the coupling agent improves the tensile property and water repellency of the composites due to the increase of interfacial compatibility between hydrophilic filler and hydrophobic matrix.
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank the National Natural Science Foundation of China (52203283), the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province (ZR2021QC117, ZR2022MC040) and National College Students’ innovation and entrepreneurship training program (202210426061) for financial support.
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Wu, Q., Liu, C., Li, S. et al. Micronized cellulose particles from mechanical treatment and their performance on reinforcing polypropylene composite. Cellulose 30, 235–246 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-022-04905-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-022-04905-y