Investigation on the physical and morphological properties of the biocomposite manufactured by mixing treated OCC pulp fibers and polypropylene with various molecular weights

Subject Areas :

Mohammadreza Amiri margavi ¹ , Mohammad Talaeipour ² , AmirHooman Hemmasi Hemmasi ³ , Behzad Bazyar ⁴ , Ismaeil Ghasemi ⁵

1 - Ph.D. student, Department of Wood and Paper Science, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
2 - Associate Professor, Department of Wood and Paper Science, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
3 - Full professor, Department of Industry and Energy Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
4 - Associate Professor, Department of Wood and Paper Science, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
5 - Iran Polymer and Petrochemical Institute, Tehran, Iran.

Received: 2023-07-09 Accepted : 2023-09-18 Published : 2023-08-23

Keywords: Cellulose, OCC fibers, Biocomposite, Acetic anhydride, Polypropylene,

Abstract :

In this study, the effect of the chemical treatment of OCC pulp and polypropylene molecular weight on the physical and morphological properties of cellulosic biocomposite was studied. For this purpose, OCC fibers were treated with acetic anhydride and then mixed with polypropylene and the compatibilizing agent (0 and 3%). The ratio of fibers and polymer materials was considered 30 to 70, which was manufactured by the hot-pressing method at 180 °C. The ratio of fibers and polymer materials was considered 30 to 70, which was manufactured by the hot-pressing method at 180 °C. The water absorption, volumetric swelling, and contact angle were measured on each sample according to the ASTM standards. Fourier transform spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to investigate the chemical modification of fibers and the morphology of biocomposites, respectively. The results of the measurements showed that the effect of chemical treatment and polypropylene on contact angle and water absorption was significant and chemical modification of the fibers reduced the water absorption and volumetric swelling. Finally, FTIR analysis showed that hydroxyl groups were decreased and the SEM images indicated the bond between fibers and polypropylene was improved through chemical modification of OCC fibers.