Enhancement and Compatibilization of Waste-Sourced Biocomposites Through Elastomer Blending and Matrix Grafting Modification.

A novel elastomer-modified multicomponent, multiphase waste-sourced biocomposites, was prepared for converting waste biomass and plastic into value-added products. The effects of blending elastomer-olefin block copolymer (OBC) and maleic anhydride (MAH), and divinylbenzene (DVB) co-grafting of recycled polypropylene (rPP) matrix on the adhesion interface, structure, and properties of high wood flour-filled (60 wt.%) composites were thoroughly investigated.

Fluorinated Polyimide/Allomelanin Nanocomposites for UV-Shielding Applications.

A series of highly fluorinated polyimide/allomelanin nanoparticles (FPI/AMNPs) films were prepared with FPI as the matrix and AMNPs as the filler. Due to the formation of hydrogen bonds, significantly reinforced mechanical and UV-shielding properties are acquired. Stress-strain curves demonstrated a maximum tensile strength of 150.

Chemical Modifications of Continuous Aramid Fiber for Wood Flour/High-Density-Polyethylene Composites with Improved Interfacial Bonding.

To expand the use of wood plastic composites in the structural and engineering constructions applications, continuous aramid fiber (CAF) with nondestructive modification was incorporated as reinforcement material into wood-flour and high-density-polyethylene composites (WPC) by extrusion method with a special die. CAF was treated with dopamine (DPA), vinyl triethoxysilane (VTES), and DPA/VTES, respectively. The effects of these modifications on compatibility between CAF and WPCs and the properties of the resulting composites were explored.

Effects of Matrix Modification on the Mechanical Properties of Wood⁻Polypropylene Composites.

Polypropylene (PP) modified with two reactive monomers, divinyl benzene (DVB) and maleic anhydride (MAH), was used as the matrix to prepare wood⁻polypropylene composites to improve interfacial compatibility. The effects of the co-modified PP matrices with different DVB concentrations on the mechanical properties of the composites were evaluated. Compared with unmodified composites and the composites containing a coupling agent, the composites modified with MAH only, and that with both MAH and DVB, improved the tensile, flexural, and impact strengths.

Preparation and Properties of a Novel Microcrystalline Cellulose-Filled Composites Based on Polyamide 6/High-Density Polyethylene.

In the present study, lithium chloride (LiCl) was utilized as a modifier to reduce the melting point of polyamide 6 (PA6), and then 15 wt % microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was compounded with low melting point PA6/high-density polyethylene (HDPE) by hot pressing. Crystallization analysis revealed that as little as 3 wt % LiCl transformed the crystallographic forms of PA6 from semi-crystalline to an amorphous state (melting point: 220 °C to none), which sharply reduced the processing temperature of the composites. LiCl improved the mechanical properties of the composites, as evidenced by the fact that the impact strength of the composites was increased by 90%.