Tailoring Interfacial Adhesion between PBAT Matrix and PTFE-Modified Microcrystalline Cellulose Additive for Advanced...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Science
• Sustainable Materials

Background:

• Cellulose-based composites offer sustainable reinforcement but face challenges in interfacial compatibility with polymers.
• Surface modification is crucial for enhancing filler-matrix interactions in polymer composites.

Purpose of the Study:

• To improve interfacial compatibility between microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) using surface energy regulation.
• To investigate the effect of modified MCC surface energy on the properties of PBAT composites.

Main Methods:

• Simultaneous pulverization and surface modification of MCC using mechanical ball milling with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) powder.
• Preparation of PBAT composites reinforced with modified MCC via melt blending.
• Characterization of MCC surface properties, composite morphology, crystallization, and thermomechanical behavior.

Main Results:

• Ball milling effectively modified MCC surface energy by transferring PTFE.
• Interfacial adhesion strength directly correlated with the surface energy of modified MCC.
• Optimized MCC surface energy led to enhanced mechanical properties, crystallization temperature, storage modulus, and loss modulus of PBAT composites.

Conclusions:

• Surface energy regulation is an effective strategy for designing high-performance cellulose-reinforced polymer composites.
• Matching the surface energy of fillers to the polymer matrix is key to improving interfacial adhesion and composite properties.