Synthesis and functional features of wood fiber‐polypropylene materials: Based on wood fibers with assembling nano‐coating via adopting simple in situ ‐hydrothermal mechanism

Wood plastic composites (WPCs) are experiencing a dynamic boom. High performance WPCs with excellent mechanical properties, thermal properties, water resistance and ultraviolet absorption features of wood fiber–polypropylene‐composites had been fabricated based on wood fibers assembled with nano‐SiO ₂ via hydrothermal method in this research. Coating morphology and assembling ratio were influenced notably by the pH values, Tetra‐Ethyl‐Ortho‐Silicate (TEOS) concentrations and coupling effect of Triethoxysilane (KH550). Tensile strength, flexural strength and thermal transition temperature ( T _g ) of polypropylene were enhanced due to strong interfacial adhesion and sufficient load transfer. In addition, the initial decomposition temperature of WPCs moved to high‐temperature area for shielded nano‐network. Besides, for electronic transition and shielding network, it is also noted that ultraviolet absorption and dimensional stability were improved efficiently if adopting coupling nano‐coating. After soaking with 24 h, value of water absorption decreased from 12.28 wt% to 2.20 wt%. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:5–13, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers