Combining Fiber Enzymatic Pretreatments and Coupling Agents to Improve Physical and Mechanical Properties of Hemp Hurd/Wood/Polypropylene Composite

Xiaoping Li; Mingli Qiang; Mingwei Yang; Jeffrey J Morrell; Neng Zhang

doi:10.3390/ma14216384

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Combining Fiber Enzymatic Pretreatments and Coupling Agents to Improve Physical and Mechanical Properties of Hemp Hurd/Wood/Polypropylene Composite

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Combining Fiber Enzymatic Pretreatments and Coupling Agents to Improve Physical and Mechanical Properties of Hemp Hurd/Wood/Polypropylene Composite

Xiaoping Li, Mingli Qiang, Mingwei Yang, Jeffrey J Morrell and Neng Zhang

Materials, Vol.14(21), pp.1-12

2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14216384

PMCID: PMC8585399

PMID: 34771909

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Abstract

Cell wall ultrastructure

cellulase

composites

coupling agents

hemp hurd fibers

Pectinase

Polypropylene (PP)

Wood fibers

Natural fiber/plastic composites combine the low density and excellent mechanical properties of the natural fiber with the flexibility and moisture resistance of the plastic to create materials tailored to specific applications in theory. Wood/plastic composites (WPC) are the most common products, but many other fibers are being explored for this purpose. Among the more common is hemp hurd. Natural fibers are hydrophilic materials and plastics are hydrophobic, therefore one problem with all of these products is the limited ability of the fiber to interact with the plastic to create a true composite. Thus, compatibilizers are often added to enhance interactions, but fiber pretreatments may also help improve compatibility. The effects of pectinase or cellulase pretreatment of wood/hemp fiber mixtures in combination with coupling agents were evaluated in polypropylene panels. Pretreatments with pectinase or cellulase were associated with reduced thickness swell (TS24h) as well as increased modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity. Incorporation of 5.0% silane or 2.5% silane/2.5% titanate as a coupling agent further improved pectinase-treated panel properties, but was associated with diminished properties in cellulase treated fibers. Combinations of enzymatic pretreatment and coupling agents enhanced fiber/plastic interactions and improved flexural properties, but the effects varied with the enzyme or coupling agent employed. The results illustrate the potential for enhancing fiber/plastic interactions to produce improved composites.

Details

Title: Combining Fiber Enzymatic Pretreatments and Coupling Agents to Improve Physical and Mechanical Properties of Hemp Hurd/Wood/Polypropylene Composite
Authors: Xiaoping Li (Author) - Southwest Forestry University
Mingli Qiang (Author) - Southwest Forestry University
Mingwei Yang (Author) - Southwest Forestry University
Jeffrey J Morrell (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, National Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life
Neng Zhang (Author) - Southwest Forestry University
Publication details: Materials, Vol.14(21), pp.1-12
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date published: 2021
DOI: 10.3390/ma14216384
ISSN: 1996-1944
PMID: 34771909; PMC8585399
Copyright note: Copyright: © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; National Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life; Forest Research Institute
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99582008902621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Chemistry, Physical; Materials Science, Multidisciplinary; Metallurgy & Metallurgical Engineering; Physics, Applied; Physics, Condensed Matter