On the use of nano fibrillated kenaf cellulose fiber as reinforcement in polylactic acid biocomposites

Q. Ahsan; T. S. S. Carron; Z. Mustafa

doi:10.15282/jmes.13.2.2019.15.0412

Authors

Q. Ahsan Carbon Research Technology Group Faculty of Manufacturing Engineering, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia (UTeM)
T. S. S. Carron Faculty of Manufacturing Engineering, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia (UTeM) 76100 Durian Tunggal, Melaka, Malaysia
Z. Mustafa Faculty of Manufacturing Engineering, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia (UTeM) 76100 Durian Tunggal, Melaka, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15282/jmes.13.2.2019.15.0412

Keywords:

Nano Fibrillated Kenaf Cellulose, Poly Lactic Acid, biocomposite, morphology, tensile properties

Abstract

In this study, nano fibrillated kenaf cellulose (NFKC) derived from kenaf fiber after varying chemico-mechanical treatments were introduced into poly lactic acid (PLA) as reinforcements to improve the mechanical and morphological properties of the biocomposites. The new strategy was aiming to realize the synergistic effects of chemical treatment and mechanical fibrillation process parameters (blending speed and time) for yielding nano fibers and its reinforcement effects on the properties of biocomposites. The yield percentage of the NFKC was determined using centrifugal method and the NFKC fibers with PLA pellet were hot pressed to form NFKC-PLA composites. The distribution and dispersion morphologies of NFKC in NFKC-PLA composites were observed by using optical microscope (OM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The reinforcing effect on the mechanical properties of NFKC-PLA composite was investigated by tensile strength test. Average length and diameter of fibrillated fibers were decreased with the concurrent increase of blending speed and time. The maximum increase in tensile strength of 59.32% and elongation of 100% were observed for NFKC-PLA composite with NFKC yielded at a blending speed and time of 15000 rpm and 15 minutes as compared to pure PLA. The tensile properties indicated that the strength and modulus were improved with increased nanofiber contents.

References

Li C, Guo J, Jiang T, Zhang X, Xia L, Wu H, Guo S, Zhang X. Extensional flow-induced hybrid crystalline fibrils (shish) in CNT/PLA 349 nanocomposite. Carbon 2018;129:720-726.

Sookprasert P, Hinchiranan N. Morphology, mechanical and thermal properties of poly (lactic acid) (PLA)/natural rubber (NR) blends compatibilized by NR-graft-PLA. Journal of Materials Research 2017; 32:788-796.

Jamshidian M, Tehrany E A, Imran M, Jacquot M, Desobry S. Poly-Lactic Acid: Production, applications, nanocomposites, and release studies. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety 2010; 9(5):552–571.

Yao Q, Cosme J G L, Xu T, Miszuk J M, Picciani P H S, Fong H, Sun H. Three dimensional electrospun PCL/PLA blend nanofibrous scaffolds with significantly improved stem cells osteogenic differentiation and cranial bone formation. Biomaterials 2017; 15:115-123.

Hu C, Li Z, Wang Y, Gao J, Dai K, Zheng G, Liu C, Shen C, Song H, Guo Z. Comparative assessment of the strain-sensing behaviors of polylactic acid 358 nanocomposites: reduced graphene oxide or carbon nanotubes. Journal of Materials Chemistry C. 2017; 9:2318-2325.

Nagarajan V, Mohanty A K, Misratt M. Perspective on polylactic acid (PLA) based sustainable materials for durable applications: focus on toughness and heat resistance. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering. 2016; 5:A-R.

Li C, Wang F, Chen P, Zhang Z, Guidoin R, Wang L. Preventing collapsing of vascular scaffolds: The mechanical behavior of PLA/PCL composite structure prostheses during in vitro degradation. Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials. 2017; 8:455-462.

Alkbir M F M, Sapuan, S M, Nuraini A A, Ishak M R. Fibre properties and crashworthiness parameters of natural fibre-reinforced composite structure: A literature review. Composite Structures 2016; 148:59–73.

Tahir P M, Amel B A, Syeed O A, Saiful A, Zakiah A. Retting process of some bast plant fibres and its effect on fibre quality: A Review. BioResources 2011; 10(4):1–8.

Jonoobi M, Harun J, Mathew A P, Oksman, K. Mechanical properties of cellulose nanofiber (CNF) reinforced polylactic acid (PLA) prepared by twin screw extrusion. Composites Science and Technology 2010; 70(12):1742–1747.

Larsson K, Berglund L A, Ankerfors M T L. Polylactide latex/nanofibrillated cellulose bionanocomposites of high nanofibrillated cellulose content and nanopaper network structure prepared by a papermaking route. Polymers and Polymer Composites 2013; 21(7):449–456.

Siro I, Plackett D. Microfibrillated cellulose and new nanocomposite materials:a review. Cellulose. 2010, 17:459–494.

Andresen M, Stenstad P, Moretro T, Langsrud S, Syverud K, Johansson LS, Stenius P. Nonleaching antimicrobial films prepared from surface-modified microfibrillated cellulose. Biomacromolecules 2007; 8:2149–2156.

Habibi Y, Mahrouz M, Vignon M R. Microfibrillated cellulose from the peel of prickly pear fruits. Food Chemistry 2009; 115:423–429.

Chen C, Li D, Hu Q, Wang R. Properties of polymethyl methacrylate-based nanocomposites: Reinforced with ultra-long chitin nanofiber extracted from crab shells. Materials & Design 2014; 56:1049-1056.

Velásquez-Cock J, Castro C, Gañán P, Osorio M, Zuluaga R. Influence of the maturation time on the physico-chemical properties of nanocellulose and associated constituents isolated from pseudostems of banana plant. Industrial Crops and Products 2016; 83:551-560

Oksman K, Mathew A P, Bondeson D, Kvien I. Manufacturing process of cellulose whiskers/polylactic acid nanocomposites. Composites Science and Technology 2006; 66:2766–2784.

Mathew A P, Chakraborthy A, Oksman K, Sain M. The structure and mechanical properties of cellulose nanocomposites prepared by twin screw extrusion. In Oksman K, Sain M, editors. Cellulose nanocomposites: processing, characterization and properties. USA: Oxford University Press. ACS Symposium Series. 2006; 938-945.

Bondeson, Daniel, Oksman Kristiina. Dispersion and characteristics of surfactant modified cellulose whiskers nanocomposites. Composite Interfaces 2007; 14:617–630.

Bondeson, Daniel, Oksman, Kristiina. Polylactic acid/cellulose whisker nanocomposites modified by polyvinyl alcohol. Composites Part A 2007; 38:2486–2492.

Okubo K, Fujii T, Thostenson E T. Multi-scale hybrid biocomposite: processing and mechanical characterization of bamboo fiber reinforced PLA with microfibrillated cellulose. Composites Part A 2009; 40:469–475.

Le Moigne N, Bikard J, Navard P. Rotation and contraction of native and regenerated cellulose fibers upon swelling and dissolution: the role of morphological and stress unbalances. Cellulose 2010; 17:507–519.

Turbak A F, Snyder F W, Sandberg K R, Microfibrilated cellulose, a new cellulose product: properties, uses, and commercial potential. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Applied Polymer Symposium 1983; 37:815–827.

Herrick F W, Casebier R L, Hamilton J K, Sandberg K R. Microfibrillated cellulose: morphology and accessibility. Journal of Applied Polymer Science:Applied Polymer Symposium 1983; 37:797–813.

Ketabchi, M R, Khalid M, Ratnam C T, Walvekar R, Abdullah L C, Ketabchi M R, Abdullah L C. Sonosynthesis of microcellulose from kenaf fiber : Optimization of process parameters. Journal of Natural Fibers 2017; 0(0):1–13.

Akhtar M N, Sulong A B, Radzi M K F, Ismail N F, Raza, M R, Muhamad N, Khan M A. Influence of alkaline treatment and fiber loading on the physical and mechanical properties of kenaf/polypropylene composites for variety of applications. Progress in Natural Science: Materials International 2016; 26(6):657–664.

Hashim S N A S, Zakaria S, Jaafar S N S, Hua C C. Purification of empty fruit bunch (EFB) and kenaf soda lignin with acidified water 2014; 129:129–135.

Parshetti G K, Hoekman K S, Balasubramanian R. Chemical, structural and combustion characteristics of carbonaceous products obtained by hydrothermal carbonization of palm empty fruit bunches. Bioresource Technology 2013; 135:683–689.

Chaker A, Alila S, Mutje P, Vilar M R, Boufi S. Key role of the hemicellulose content and the cell morphology on the nanofibralltion effectiveness of cellulose pulps. Cellulose 2013; 20(6):2863-2875.

Fu S Y, Feng X Q, Lauke B, Mai Y W. Effects of particle size, particle/matrix interface adhesion and particle loading on mechanical properties of particulate-polymer composites. Composites Part B: Engineering 2008; 39:933-939.

Awadhiya A, Kumar D, Rathore K, Fatma B, Verma V. Synthesis and characterization of agarose–bacterial cellulose biodegradable composites. Polymer Bulletin 2017; 74(7):2887–2903.

Robles E, Urruzola I, Labidi J, Serrano L. Surface-modified nano-cellulose as reinforcement in poly(lactic acid) to conform new composites. Industrial Crops and Products 2015; 71:44–53.

Geng L H, Peng X F, Jing X, Li L W, Huang A, Xu B P, Chen B Y, Mi H Y. Investigation of poly (L-lactic acid)/graphene oxide composites crystallization and nanopore foaming behaviors via supercritical carbon dioxide low temperature foaming. Journal of Materials Research 2016; 31:348-345.

Li Y, Chen C, Li J, Sun X S. Photoactivity of Poly (lactic acid) nanocomposites modulated by TiO2 nanofillers. Journal of Applied Polymer Science 2014; 131:402-41.