The use of natural fibers as reinforcements for biocomposites (for large scale 3D printing utilization) has expanded rapidly due to their low cost, low weight, renewable nature, high stiffness, and being more suitable than conventional materials. However, tensile strength and stiffness of biopolymers (e.g., polylactic acid (PLA)) are less than desirable for load-bearing applications. In this study, poplar fibers (<i>Populus</i> spp., mesh size: &lt;180 µm) were used to reinforce biopolymers. Poplar fibers contain pore and inner hollow structures with -OH rich surfaces. Physicochemical treatments, such as filling the pores of poplar fibers with nanomaterials (e.g., cellulose nanofibrils) and chemical cross-linking using amino acids, on the poplar fibers have shown significant promise in improving the mechanical performance. The biocomposites obtained were characterized using a tensile testing machine, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and rheometer. After the modification through nanomaterial and amino acid, the biocomposites exhibited higher tensile strength (increasing by &gt;20%) and Young’s modulus (increasing by &gt;40%). The physicochemical treatment is found to be an effective technique to improve the properties of biocomposites.

High-performance biocomposites via nanomaterial and amino acid modification

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.