Sisal chemically modified with lignins: Correlation between fibers and phenolic composites properties

Sisal fibers have been chemically modified by reaction with lignins, extracted from sugarcane bagasse and Pinus-type wood and then hydroxymethylated, to increase adhesion in resol-type phenolic thermoset matrices. Inverse gas chromatography (IGC) results showed that acidic sites predominate for unmodified/modified sisal fibers and for phenolic thermoset, indicating that the phenolic matrix has properties that favor the interaction with sisal fibers. The IGC results also showed that the phenolic thermoset has a dispersive component closer to those of the modified fibers suggesting that thermoset interactions with the less polar modified fibers are favored. Surface SEM images of the modified fibers showed that the fiber bundle deaggregation increased after the treatment, making the interfibrillar structure less dense in comparison with that of unmodified fibers, which increased the contact area and encouraged microbial biodegradation in simulated soil. Water diffusion was observed to be faster for composites reinforced with modified fibers, since the phenolic resin penetrated better into modified fibers, thereby blocking water passage through their channels. Overall, composites' properties showed that modified fibers promote a significant reduction in the hydrophilic character, and consequently of the reinforced composite without a major effect on impact strength and with increased storage modulus.     

Proton conductivity of composites based on Nafion and silica matrices with a chemically modified surface

The surface of aerosilogel and macroporous and microporous glasses was modified with aromatic sulfo groups (≡Si(CH₂)₂-C₆H₄-SO₃H) by the chemical assembly method. Composite solid electrolytes containing Nafion were prepared from the silica matrices with a chemically modified surface. The proton conductivity of the materials was studied by impedance spectroscopy. Composite materials based on Nafion and aerosilogel matrices and macroporous glasses with grafted ≡Si(CH₂)₂-C₆H₄-SO₃H groups showed the highest proton conductivity.     

New materials based on renewable resources: chemically modified expanded corn starches as catalysts for liquid phase organic reactions

Catalytically active chemically modified expanded corn starches have been developed with site loadings and activities comparable or superior to traditional materials.     

Behavior of biodegradable composites based on starch reinforced with modified cellulosic fibers

The aims of this study were to develop composite films based on potato starch and cellulose modified with toluenediisocyanate, to investigate their morphology and structure, and to evaluate their behavior to enzymatic hydrolysis and their potential use to manufacture of biodegradable seedling pots. The effects of modified cellulosic fibers upon mechanical properties and biodegradability of composite materials based on starch matrix were investigated by tensile strength tests, Fourier infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and dynamic vapor sorption. The behavior of the films to enzymatic hydrolysis with amylase and cellulase was studied; the kinetic of enzymatic hydrolysis and characterization of materials are reported. Chemical modification of cellulose improves tensile strength with about 47%, and decreases the biodegradability of composites making them more resistant to microbial attack, thus prolonging their shelf life. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of chemically active polymeric fibers bearing sulfo and carboxy groups

A chemically active material bearing two types of acid groups, strongly acidic sulfo groups and weakly acidic carboxy groups, was prepared by radiation-induced graft copolymerization of two kinds of monomers, acrylic acid and sodium styrenesulfonate, onto polypropylene fibers. The main parameters affecting the graft copolymerization are considered.     

Interaction of solid and polymeric lithium electrolytes with composites based on carbon fibers and silicon nanoclusters: Quantum-chemical modeling

In the framework of the search for promising electrodes and membranes for lithium-ion batteries, quantum-chemical modeling of the contact area of the solid (Li₁₀GeP₂S₁₂) and polymeric LiNafion · nDMSO-based electrolytes with an anode as carbon fibers coated with silicon nanoclusters (Si _n C _m ) has been performed by the density functional theory method with inclusion of gradient correction and periodic conditions (PBE/PAW). It has been found that the polymeric electrolytes form a better contact with the electrode surface than the solid electrolytes. The barriers to lithium transport in the polymeric LiNafion · nDMSO-based electrolyte have been estimated at 0.3 eV, and those to Li migration from the electrolyte into the electrode have been estimated at 0.4 eV.     

Electrical properties of polymeric composites based on nanocrystalline tin dioxide modified with copper iodide

Electrical properties of synthesized nanostructured materials based on nanocrystalline tin dioxide modified with copper iodide and polychlorotrifl uoroethylene were studied. It was shown that the complex dielectric permittivity in the microwave range and the low-frequency electrical conductivity of the polymeric composites depend on the copper iodide concentration on the surface of tin dioxide and reach the maximum values at a volume fraction of CuI of about 0.5. The percolation thresholds were determined for the three-component system. Their values increase from 0.04 to 0.05 vol. fraction as the content of copper iodide in the CuI/SnO₂ system is raised from 0.04 to 0.6 vol. fraction.     

Renewable resource-based composites of recycled natural fibers and maleated polylactide bioplastic: Characterization and biodegradability

The thermal properties of composite materials composed of polylactide (PLA) and green coconut fiber (GCF) were evaluated. Blends containing maleic anhydride-grafted PLA (PLA-g-MA/GCF) exhibited noticeably superior thermal properties due to greater compatibility between the two components. The dispersion of GCF in the PLA-g-MA matrix was highly homogeneous as a result of ester formation, and the consequent creation of branched and cross-linked macromolecules, between the carboxyl groups of PLA-g-MA and the hydroxyl groups in GCF. In addition, the PLA-g-MA/GCF blend was more easily processed due to a lower melt viscosity. Each composite was subject to biodegradation tests in a Burkholderia cepacia BCRC 14253 compost. The bacterium completely degraded both the PLA and the PLA-g-MA/GCF composite films. Morphological observations indicated severe disruption of the film structure after 9-12 days of incubation. The PLA-g-MA/GCF (10 wt%) films were not only more biodegradable than those made of PLA, but also exhibited lower molecular weight and intrinsic viscosity, implying a strong connection between these characteristics and biodegradability.     

Eco-friendly composite resins based on renewable biomass resources: Polyfurfuryl alcohol/lignin thermosets

The properties of an innovative polyfurfuryl alcohol (PFA)/lignin combined matrix have been investigated. Furfuryl alcohol (FA) and lignin are, respectively, monomeric and polymeric precursors issued from biomass feedstock. In the present work, a plasticized lignin (PL) has been blended during polymerization of FA into PFA. Two kinds of samples were prepared at different FA/lignin ratio. Structural investigations were made on resins by ¹³C NMR while the thermo-mechanical performances of the combined materials were studied using thermogravimetric (TGA) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). TGA results have permitted us to determine the thermal stability and the composition of the cured material on the basis of the ash content. According with these results, it was found that the lignin ratio in the cured material is more important than in the initial threshold. The TGA reveals that the PFA/PL thermo-oxidative degradation occurs at higher temperature compared to the natural (PL) component system, together with a lower rate of decomposition. This underlines a good interpenetration of lignin within the furanic matrix. The morphologies of the combined PFA/lignin systems, controlled by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), reveal a monophasic structure. These observations are in good agreement with the presence of a unique relaxation peak as shown in the DMA results.     

Surface modification of coir fibers I: studies on graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate on to chemically modified coir fibers

Graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) onto chemically modified coir fiber was studied using a CuSO₄–KIO₄ combination as initiator in an aqueous medium in the temperature range of 50–70 °C. Concentrations or [IO₄−] = 0.005 mol/l and [Cu2+] = 0.002 mol/l produce optimum grafting. The effects of time, temperature, amount of coir fiber, some inorganic salts and organic solvents on graft yield have also been investigated. On the basis of experimental findings, a reaction mechanism has been proposed. Evidence of grafting was studied from fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy of chemically modified coir and MMA‐grafted coir. Tensile properties such as maximum stress at break, extension at break and Young's modulus of untreated, defatted, chemically treated and grafted coir fibers were evaluated and compared. Grafted coir fiber showed an increase in tensile properties such as maximum stress at break, extension at break and Young's modulus. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Renewable resources based polymers: Synthesis and characterization of 2,5-diformylfuran-urea resin

Condensation of renewable resources based monomer 2,5-diformylfuran (DFF) and urea at 110 °C by melting a solid mixture gives a crystalline polymer resin in 90% yield. This resin was characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H, ¹³C and ¹H-¹H COSY NMR, IR, UV, TGA and DTA. The structural unit of this new material consists of one DFF molecule condensed with two urea molecules at the aldehyde group of DFF. A homologous resin was prepared by using 5,5′-oxydimethylenebis(2-furaldehyde) and urea in 84% yield via a similar procedure and characterized as well.     

Evaluation on the adsorption capabilities of new chemically modified polymeric adsorbents with protoporphyrin IX

A novel stationary phase — phenylaminopropyl (PLA) bonded silica — is proposed for anion-exchange chromatography. Low basicity (pK_a about 2.5) attached to silica phenylaminopropyl groups allows a variation of surface density of protonated sites in the pH range from 2 to 5. This enables us to use the same column for the separation of anions having different affinity to anion-exchangers. The effect of mobile phase pH on conditional capacity of PhA-silica was studied. The hypothesis on dependence of ion-exchange selectivity on the column capacity is discussed. Suitability of PhA-silica for ion-chromatographic separation of organic and inorganic anions at different pH values of eluent was demonstrated.     

Biopolymer composites based on modified lignin and nanocellulose

New composite lignocellulose materials were prepared using modified lignin and nanocellulose. The materials were studied by elemental and thermal gravimetric analysis, and their tensile tests were performed. The results obtained show that addition of nanocellulose to modified lignin makes possible its use as filler in paper production.     

Characterization of natural cellulosic fibers from Yucca aloifolia L. leaf as potential reinforcement of polymer composites

Cellulose - In this work lignocellulosic fibers were obtained from Yucca aloifolia L. leaves and their chemical, morphological, thermal and mechanical properties were studied. The fibers were...     

Comparative study on enhanced pectinase and alkali-oxygen degummings of sisal fibers

This paper reports an improved traditional fiber degumming method, where sisal fibers were treated by alkali oxygen and pectinase, respectively, after the solute alkali pretreatment. To explore the influence of various factors on its degumming, efficiency of degumming through single factor and orthogonal experiments was aasessed. The results showed that pectinase/alkali-oxygen method after the first alkali treatment had a good effect on the degumming of sisal fiber, and most of the non-cellulose components such as hemicellulose, lignin and pectin had been removed. After pectinase treatment, the cellulose content and crystallinity were 71.87% and 66.29%, respectively. After alkaline oxygen treatment, the cellulose content was 77.16%, and the crystallinity was 69.09%. In terms of degumming rate, alkali oxygen treatment worked better than pectinase treatment, the degumming rate of pectinase method was about 10%, while that of alkali-oxygen method was more than 20%. In other hand, the pectinase method was much milder and had less damage to fibers. It would provide some references for the future application and development of sisal fiber.

     

The effect of gamma-radiation on polymer composites based on thermoplastic matrices

The effect of ⁶⁰Co γ-radiation on polymer composite materials (PCMs) based on reinforcing glass cloth, polyethylene (PE), polyamide (PA) and polypropylene (PP) matrices has been studied. It has been found that PCMs based on more durable PP and PA matrices have a substantially lower radiation resistance as compared to their PE-matrix analogs. More stable carbon-reinforced plastics based on the PE matrix also have a lower radiation resistance as compared to fiberglass plastics. High-strength PE fiber, PE film, and PE-matrix composites behave in fundamentally different manners under the action of radiation.     

Thermomechanical properties of polymeric composites based on 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate and fumed silicas

Summary Thermomechanical properties have been investigated for the composites synthesized by the thermal polymerization of 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate or its polymerization initiated with acrylamide complex of cobalt nitrate in the presence of the fumed silica or silicon hydride-containing silicas. The effect of the filler surface nature on temperature dependencies of deformability of the polymeric composites has been studied.     

Friction and wear properties of combined surface modified carbon fabric reinforced phenolic composites

Carbon fabric (CF) was surface treated with silane-coupling agent modification, HNO₃ oxidation, combined surface treatment, respectively. The friction and wear properties of the carbon fabric reinforced phenolic composites (CFP), sliding against GCr15 steel rings, were investigated on an M-2000 model ring-on-block test rig. Experimental results revealed that combined surface treatment largely reduced the friction and wear of the CFP composites. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) investigation of the worn surfaces of the CFP composites showed that combined surface modified CFP composite had the strongest interfacial adhesion and the smoothest worn surface under given load and sliding rate. SEM and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) study of carbon fiber surface showed that the fiber surface became rougher and the oxygen concentration increased greatly after combined surface treatment, which improved the adhesion between the fiber and the phenolic resin matrix and hence to improve the friction-reduction and anti-wear properties of the CFP composite.     

Development of novel flame‐retardant thermosets based on benzoxazine–phenolic resins and a glycidyl phosphinate

Modified novolac resins with benzoxazine rings were prepared and copolymerized with a glycidyl phosphinate. Their curing behavior and the thermal properties of the curing resins were studied. Copolymerization was studied with model compounds considering the functionality of the benzoxazine‐based phenolic resins and the easy isomerization of the glycidyl phosphinate. Phenolic novolac resin acts as an initiator but p‐toluensulfonic acid had to be used to decrease the curing temperature and to prevent glycidyl phosphinate from isomerizing. The materials obtained exhibited high glass‐transition temperatures and retardation on thermal degradation rates. V‐0 materials were obtained when the materials were tested for ignition resistance with the UL‐94 test. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 279–289, 2004     

Investigations on the recycling of hemp and sisal fibre reinforced polypropylene composites

Microscopic, mechanical, rheological and thermal tests were carried out in order to determine the recycling behaviour of PP/vegetal fibre composites. Different composites using hemp and sisal were characterized. All results were compared with PP-g-MA/hemp composites and PP/glass fibre composites.The results prove that mechanical properties are well conserved with the reprocessing of PP/vegetal fibre composites but that there is poor adhesion between the fibres and PP without any treatment. The addition of PP-g-MA shows an improvement of the bonding evidenced by MEB pictures. Vegetal fibres induce an increase in the percentage of crystallinity χ_c and in the crystallization temperature T_c which can be explained by the nucleating ability of the fibres improving crystallization of PP. The Newtonian viscosity η₀ decreases with cycles, indicating a decrease in molecular weight and chain scissions induced by reprocessing. The decrease of fibre length with reprocessing could be another reason for viscosity decrease.