Effect of Chemical Treatment of Cotton Stalk Fibers on the Mechanical and Thermal Properties of PLA/PP Blended Composites

Abstract

Different chemical treatment methods were employed to modify the surface of cotton stalk fibers, which were then utilized as fillers in composite materials. These treated fibers were incorporated into polylactic acid/polypropylene melt blends using the melt blending technique. Results indicated that increasing the surface roughness of cotton stalk fibers could enhance the overall mechanical properties of the composite materials, albeit potentially leading to poor fiber–matrix compatibility. Conversely, a smooth fiber surface was found to improve compatibility with polylactic acid, while Si-O-C silane coating increased fiber regularity and interfacial interaction with the matrix, thereby enhancing heat resistance. The mechanical properties and thermal stability of the composite materials made from alkali/silane-treated fibers exhibited the most significant improvement. Furthermore, better dispersion of fibers in the matrix and more regular fiber orientation were conducive to increasing the overall crystallinity of the composite materials. However, such fiber distribution was not favorable for enhancing impact resistance, although this drawback could be mitigated by increasing the surface roughness of the reinforcing fibers.