Engineering Lignocellulose Fibers with Higher Thermal Stability through Natural Fiber Welding. Issue 6 (27th March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Durkin, David P.; Frank, Benjamin P.; Haverhals, Luke M.; Howard Fairbrother, D.; De Long, Hugh C.; Trulove, Paul C.
• Is Part Of: Macromolecular materials and engineering. Volume 304:Issue 6(2019)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2019-03-27
• Subjects: ionic liquids -- lignocellulose -- nanocellulose -- natural fiber welding -- silane -- thermal stability; Plastics -- Periodicals; Polymers -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; 547.705
• DOI: 10.1002/mame.201900042
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1438-7492

Abstract

Abstract: This study reveals how natural fiber welding (NFW) can be used to engineer biopolymer materials with improved thermal stability. First, it is shown how NFW without binders improves lignocellulose yarn thermal stability by ≈17 °C, primarily by condensing microfibril structure. Next, silanized‐cellulose nanofibrils (Si‐CNFs) are developed as NFW binders; this silanization process alters CNF physical and thermal properties. During pyrolysis, Si x O y networks form, which delay CNF decomposition (up to 37 °C), slow cellulose mass loss rates (up to 89%), and can enhance char yield more than twofold. When used as NFW binders, Si‐CNFs increase lignocellulose yarn thermal stability (up to 17 °C) proportional to siloxane amount, and can reduce cellulose mass loss rates (≈25% compared to welding without binder). These exciting results highlight the potential of NFW as a green‐engineering process to transform natural fibers into more thermally stable, biocomposite textile yarns. Abstract : Natural Fiber Welding (NFW) transforms lignocellulose fibers into more thermally stable biocomposites. Without binder, NFW improves lignocellulose yarn thermal stability (up to 17 °C) by condensing microfibril structure. When thermally stable silanized cellulose nanofibrils are fiber‐welded as coatings, they increase yarn thermal stability proportional to siloxane amount, and can reduce cellulose mass loss rates (≈25% compared to welding without binder).