The three-dimensional heterostructure synthesis of ZnO/cellulosic fibers and its application for rubber composites. (16th June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Yalan; Sun, Hao; Zhang, Yangyang; Xu, Min; Shi, Sheldon Q.
• Is Part Of: Composites science and technology. Volume 177(2019)
• Page Start: 10
• Page End: 17
• Publication Date: 2019-06-16
• Subjects: Hybrid composites -- Fibers -- Nano particles -- In-situ synthesis -- Ultrasonic treatment; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Composite materials; Fibrous composites; Periodicals; 620.118
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compscitech.2019.04.012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0266-3538

Abstract

Abstract: Agglomeration of cellulosic fibers is the limiting factor in the fabrication of high-performance polymer composites. Here, we report a three-dimensional heterostructure of zinc oxide (ZnO)/cellulosic fiber hybrids to fabricate the multifunctional biomass rubber composites via the wet mixing method. The ultrasonic treatment and in-situ chemosynthesis method were used to incorporate ZnO particles on the surface of cellulosic fibers. The experimental results showed that ZnO particles with rod-like structures were grown on the surface of cellulosic fibers, and ultrasonic treated cellulosic fibers (UCF) could improve the aggregation and increase the growth content of ZnO particles from 16.5% to 23.2%. The composites microstructures showed that ZnO/UCF had a better dispersion and interface bonding than cellulosic fiber in natural rubber (NR) matrix. Moreover, ZnO/UCF/NR composites had higher tensile strength, stiffness, hydrophobic properties and antibacterial efficiency than pure NR. In view of the characterization of cellulosic fibers and inorganic particles, this three-dimensional structure hybrid would provide enormous opportunities to fabricate multifunctional biomass polymer composites.