Combining lignocellulosic fibers with thermoplastic/thermosetting polymers such as polylactic acid (PLA) or polyurethane (PU) is a major challenge in composite developments. One of the main limitations is a relatively poor interfacial adhesion between the main components. Typically, complex functionalization chemistries or toxic coupling agents are required to overcome the compatibility issues. In this study, the utilization of different amphiphilic proteins to tune/control the surface energy and adhesion with cellulose and PLA was explored. Surface sensitive techniques such as quartz crystal microbalance (QCM-D) and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) were employed to systematically investigate the conformational changes of the proteins (potentially affecting the adhesion parameter). Together with other factors relevant to system formulation, such as pH, ionic strength and composition, they were investigated as far as their effect in interfacial phenomena. The adhesion development of the prepared composites was assessed by cross-sectional electron microscopy imaging. Furthermore, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and tensile testing revealed the benefits and mechanical performance of cellulose-protein-PLA composites.

Protein-assisted interfacial adhesion in thermoforming of cellulose-based composites

251st National Meeting (2016)

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