Torrefaction treatment of lignocellulosic fibres for improving fibre/matrix adhesion in a biocomposite

New PHBV/wheat straw fibres biocomposites were produced in such a way to improve the fibre/matrix interface and modulate functional properties of materials. A torrefaction treatment was applied to wheat straw fibres in such a way to increase their hydrophobicity. This improvement led to a better fib...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Materials & Design Vol. 92; pp. 223 - 232
Main Authors: Berthet, M.-A., Commandré, J.-M., Rouau, X., Gontard, N., Angellier-Coussy, H.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier Ltd 15.02.2016
Elsevier
Subjects:
Biocomposite
Drying
Fiber-matrix adhesion
Fibers
Fibres
Food engineering
Life Sciences
Mechanical properties
PHBV
Pyrolysis
Straw
Torrefaction
Water vapour permeability
Wheat
Wheat straw
Mechanical properties
Torrefaction
Water vapour permeability
PHBV
Biocomposite
Wheat straw
ISSN:0264-1275, 0261-3069, 1873-4197, 0264-1275
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:New PHBV/wheat straw fibres biocomposites were produced in such a way to improve the fibre/matrix interface and modulate functional properties of materials. A torrefaction treatment was applied to wheat straw fibres in such a way to increase their hydrophobicity. This improvement led to a better fibre/matrix interfacial adhesion in resultant composites prepared by melt-extrusion, as revealed by SEM observations. The crystallization process was favoured by the presence of torrefied fibres while molecular weight and crystallinity of matrix polymers remained unchanged as compared to untreated fibres. Fibre torrefaction treatment had no significant effect on the mechanical properties of PHBV/wheat straw fibre composites, except for 30wt.% of torrefied fibres with materials displaying an increased rigidity. It was concluded that improving fibre/matrix adhesion and increasing fibre aspect ratio did not lead to a better preservation of mechanical properties, due to the inevitable presence of microscopic defects in the composite materials. As regards water vapour permeability (WVP), a 30% decrease was first noticed with torrefied fibre contents up to 20wt.%, which was ascribed to the hydrophobic nature of fibres and improvement of fibre/matrix adhesion. WVP then increased for a fibre content of 30wt.%, probably due to the creation of percolating pathway. [Display omitted] •A torrefaction treatment was used to hydrophobize wheat straw fibres.•An improved fibre/PHBV interfacial adhesion was obtained after fibre torrefaction.•Mechanical properties of biocomposites were not impacted by fibre torrefaction.•Water vapour permeability of biocomposites was modulated by using torrefied fibres.
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ISSN:0264-1275
0261-3069
1873-4197
0264-1275
DOI:10.1016/j.matdes.2015.12.034