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Effects of Bio-Based PP-g-IA Compatibilizer on Polypropylene Composites Incorporating Unmodified and Hydrophobically
Seong Jae Cho1,2, Hyeon Soo Kwon3, Tae Hyun Kim2,4
1User Convenience Technology R&D Department, Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH), Ansan 15588, Gyeonggi do, Republic of Korea.
Polymers
|August 13, 2026
Summary
A new bio-based compatibilizer, itaconic acid-grafted polypropylene (PP-g-IA), offers a sustainable alternative for lignocellulose composites. It enhances mechanical strength and processability, outperforming conventional materials.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Sustainable Materials
Background:
- Conventional petroleum-based compatibilizers like maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene (PP-g-MAH) pose environmental concerns.
- Lignocellulose (LC) fibers are a promising renewable reinforcement but suffer from poor interfacial adhesion in polymer composites.
- Developing sustainable and effective compatibilizers is crucial for advancing bio-based composite materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and evaluate a novel bio-based compatibilizer, itaconic acid-grafted polypropylene (PP-g-IA), as a sustainable alternative to PP-g-MAH.
- To assess the performance of PP-g-IA in lignocellulose (LC) and modified lignocellulose (mLC) reinforced polypropylene composites.
- To investigate the impact of PP-g-IA on the mechanical properties, interfacial adhesion, and processability of these composites.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of PP-g-IA via melt grafting.
- Confirmation of grafting using Fourier-Transform Infrared (FT-FTIR) spectroscopy.
- Fabrication and mechanical testing (tensile strength) of PP-g-IA compatibilized LC and mLC composites.
- Evaluation of melt flowability.
Main Results:
- The synthesized PP-g-IA effectively improved interfacial adhesion in LC composites.
- PP-g-IA compatibilized LC composites (PPLCIP) achieved the highest tensile strength (23.5 MPa).
- The improved adhesion allowed the high aspect ratio of LC fibers to become the dominant reinforcement factor, surpassing surface modification benefits.
- PP-g-IA demonstrated comparable mechanical performance to PP-g-MAH with enhanced melt flowability.
Conclusions:
- Bio-based PP-g-IA is a highly effective and sustainable compatibilizer for lignocellulose-reinforced polypropylene composites.
- PP-g-IA enhances both mechanical performance and processability, offering a viable green alternative to petroleum-based compatibilizers.
- This study highlights the potential of PP-g-IA in developing high-performance, eco-friendly composite materials.
