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. 2017 May 5;9(5):165.
doi: 10.3390/polym9050165.

Effect of Maleic Anhydride-Modified Poly(lactic acid) on the Properties of Its Hybrid Fiber Biocomposites

Abubakar Umar Birnin-Yauri  1   2 , Nor Azowa Ibrahim  3   4 , Norhazlin Zainuddin  5 , Khalina Abdan  6 , Yoon Yee Then  7   8 , Buong Woei Chieng  9   10
Affiliations

Effect of Maleic Anhydride-Modified Poly(lactic acid) on the Properties of Its Hybrid Fiber Biocomposites

Abubakar Umar Birnin-Yauri et al. Polymers (Basel). .

Abstract

This work investigated the effect of maleic anhydride (MA)-modified poly(lactic acid) (PLA), which is melt-blended with different untreated and aqueous borax (BR)-treated hybrid oil palm empty fruit bunch fibers (EFBF)/Kenaf core fibers (KCF), and compression-molded into corresponding hybrid biocomposites. These hybrid systems includes BR-treated EFBF/BR-treated KCF reinforced MA-modified PLA i.e., BR(EFBF-KCF)-MAPLA, BR-treated EFBF/BR-treated KCF reinforced unmodified PLA i.e., BR(EFBF-KCF)-PLA, untreated EFBF/untreated KCF reinforced MA-modified PLA i.e., EFBF-KCF-MAPLA, and untreated EFBF/untreated KCF reinforced unmodified PLA i.e., EFBF-KCF-PLA respectively. Characterizations of the hybrid systems revealed that optimal mechanical, physical, morphological, thermal and dynamic mechanical properties were provided by the BR(EFBF-KCF)-MAPLA, resulting from improved interface adhesion, consequent of the synergistic influence of BR treatment of natural fibers, and the compatibilization effect provided by the MA-modified PLA. The grafting degree and efficiency of MA onto the PLA backbone was appreciable, as indicated by direct titration, and through monitoring using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR); thus the MA-modified PLA facilitated the formation of strong interface adhesion with the BR-treated hybrid fibers. The BR(EFBF-KCF)-MAPLA showed promising properties for usage as a bio-inspired, and sustainable alternative fiberboard article.

Keywords: bio-inspired; hybrid biocomposites; maleic anhydride; poly(lactic acid).

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Conflict of interest statement

No conflict of interest is declared by the authors.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Hypothetical mechanism for MA grafting of PLA, and compatibilization with fibers.
Figure 2
Figure 2
FTIR spectra of neat PLA, Pure MA and MAPLA.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) (a), and DTG (b) thermograms of hybrid biocomposites.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Storage modulus (a); loss modulus (b); and tanδ (c) curves of hybrid biocomposites.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Morphology of fractured surfaces of (a) EFBF-KCF-PLA; (b) BR(EFBF-KCF)-PLA; (c) EFBF-KCF-MAPLA; and (d) BR(EFBF-KCF)-MAPLA.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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