Green composites based on avocado seed starch and nano‐ and micro‐scale cellulose

Nonedible avocado (Persea americana) seed starch (AVS) was developed as resin for green composites. AVS was cross‐linked using a green cross‐linker, 1,2,3,4‐butane tetracarboxylic acid to prepare a rigid thermoset resin having improved water stability. Two cellulose fiber reinforcements, micro‐fibri...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Polymer composites 2020-11, Vol.41 (11), p.4631-4648
Main Authors: Fu, Denghao, Netravali, Anil N.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
avocado seed starch
biodegradable composites
Biodegradable materials
Cellulose
Cellulose fibers
Cellulosic resins
Continuous fiber composites
cross‐linking
Dynamic mechanical properties
Fiber reinforcement
High aspect ratio
Mechanical properties
Microfibers
micro‐fibrillated cellulose
Modulus of elasticity
Polymer matrix composites
Sorbitol
Tensile strength
Thermosetting resins
velvet leaf microfiber
Water absorption
Water stability
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Nonedible avocado (Persea americana) seed starch (AVS) was developed as resin for green composites. AVS was cross‐linked using a green cross‐linker, 1,2,3,4‐butane tetracarboxylic acid to prepare a rigid thermoset resin having improved water stability. Two cellulose fiber reinforcements, micro‐fibrillated cellulose (MFC) with average diameter of 50 nm and a common weed velvet leaf (Abutilon therophrasti) stem‐derived microfibers (VLF) with average diameter of 12 μm, were used to fabricate green composites by solution casting method. MFC/AVS and VLF/AVS green composites were characterized for tensile, thermal, and dynamic mechanical properties and water absorption. Results showed that mechanical properties of VLF/AVS composites were comparable to MFC/AVS composites at same volume fraction. The tensile strength, fracture strain, and Young's modulus of AVS composites with 30% VLF microfibers and 15% sorbitol (plasticizer) were 27.8 MPa, 10.2%, and 1614 MPa, respectively. Both strength (36.7 MPa) and Young's modulus (2303 MPa) increased significantly with 40% VLF fiber content. Good reinforcement by VLF microfibers was realized due to its high aspect ratio and good dispersity in AVS matrix. It would be advantageous to replace MFC with inexpensive VLF to reduce the cost. These composites may be further reinforced to fabricate hybrid green composites using continuous fibers.
ISSN:0272-8397
1548-0569
DOI:10.1002/pc.25739