The effect of acid content on the poly(furfuryl) alcohol/cellulose composites

Cellulose/poly(furfuryl alcohol) (PFA) composites were prepared via in situ polymerization process using p‐toulene sulfonic acid as a catalyst. Cellulose was extracted from cotton fibers using chemical treatments with basic media of NaOH, NaClO₂ and KOH. Acid hydrolysis at different concentrations (30, 40 and 50%) of sulphuric acid was used and the final suspended cellulose was incorporated in PFA. The treatments of the cotton fibers ensued to higher crystalline cellulose which was proportional to sulphuric acid contents. Scanning electron microscopy studies (SEM) results showed a poor interfacial interaction when 50% acid content was used for hydrolyses. The effect of fiber reinforcement on thermal and dynamic mechanical properties of the composites was investigated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMTA). The TGA results showed higher thermal stability of cellulose/PFA composites as compared to the neat PFA. The DMA results showed that the incorporation of the cellulose fibers imparts significant enhancement in the storage modulus of the PFA matrix. There was also the clear decrease in intensity of the tan peak of the composites compared to the neat PFA. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:2434–2441, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers