Biocomposites containing cellulose fibers treated with nanosized elastomeric latex for enhancing impact strength

Abstract The surface modification of the cellulose fiber by adsorbing the cationic poly(butyl acrylate-co-methyl methacrylate/2-ethylhexylacrylate-co-styrene) [P(BA-co-MMA/EHA-co-St)] latex with core–shell structure on fiber surfaces was conducted in an attempt to enhance the toughness of the polypropylene-based biocomposites. The mechanical, morphological and thermal properties of experimentally manufactured biocomposites based on polypropylene (PP) and cellulose fiber modified with the cationic nanosized latex were investigated. The results indicated that the presence of the sulfite fiber treated with 1% (wt on dry fibers) of the matrix-compatible latex increased the unnotched Izod impact strength of the fiber/PP composites, so did the tensile strength and flexural modulus. The latex-treated fibers have strong impact on the nucleation of PP, which might create the synergetic effect with toughening.