The Effects on Mechanical Properties and Crystallization of Poly (L-lactic acid) Reinforced by Cellulosic Fibers with Different Scales

    Authors

    T. J. Lu; M. Jiang; X. L. Xu; S. L. Zhang; D. Hui; J. H. Gou;Z. W. Zhou

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    J. Appl. Polym. Sci.

    Keywords

    biomaterials; cellulose and other wood products; composites; crystallization; mechanical properties; POLY(LACTIC ACID); POLYLACTIC ACID; MICROFIBRILLATED CELLULOSE; MICROCRYSTALLINE CELLULOSE; CARBON NANOTUBES; MALEIC-ANHYDRIDE; PLA; COMPOSITES; BIOCOMPOSITE; Polymer Science

    Abstract

    Bacterial cellulose (BC), microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), and bamboo cellulosic fibers (BCFs) were used to reinforce poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) based bio-composites. The mechanical properties and crystallization of the composites were studied through mechanical testing, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and polarizing microscope. The incorporation of all three kinds of cellulose increased the stiffness of the composites compared to pure PLLA. The reinforcing effect of the MCC in the composites is most significant. The Young's modulus and impact toughness of the MCC/PLLA composites were increased by 44.4% and 58.8%, respectively. The tensile strength of the MCC/PLLA composites was increased to 71 MPa from 61 MPa of PLLA. However, the tensile strength of the composites reinforced with BCF or BC was lower than PLLA. The three kinds of cellulosic fibers improved the crystallization of PLLA. The BC with smallest size provided the composites with smallest grain and highest crystallinity. (C) 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

    Journal Title

    Journal of Applied Polymer Science

    Volume

    131

    Issue/Number

    22

    Publication Date

    1-1-2014

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    8

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000341179900034

    ISSN

    0021-8995

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