Enhancing the mechanical performance of surface-modified microcrystalline cellulose reinforced high-density polyethylene composites

• Published in: Materials today communications 2021-06, Vol.27, p.102426, Article 102426
• Main Authors: Hong, Seo-Hwa, Hwang, Seok-Ho
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chemical modification; Composite; High-density polyethylene; Mechanical performance; Microcrystalline cellulose
• ISSN: 2352-4928; 2352-4928
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mtcomm.2021.102426

[Display omitted] •The microcrystalline cellulose was chemically modified with a poly(ethylene-co-glycidyl methacrylate) copolymer.•PEGMA-a-MCC can provide to enhance the mechanical properties of HDPE composite.•PEGMA-a-MCC/HDPE composites showed similar thermal properties of neat HDPE. The microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was successfully modified with a poly(ethylene-co-glycidyl methacrylate) copolymer (PEGMA) to be constructed the PEGMA anchored MCC (PEGMA-a-MCC). The chemical modification of the pristine MCC surface was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. And then, the pristine MCC and PEGMA-a-MCC were successfully incorporated into the high-density polyethylene (HDPE) matrix by typical melt-mixing technique. When applied the PEGMA-a-MCC, interfacial adhesion performance between the cellulosic filler and HDPE matrix showed better and stronger than the pristine MCC. From the results of thermal behaviors and mechanical properties of the composites, it was possible to achieve enhanced their mechanical properties without change of thermal characteristics of HDPE matrix.