Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Chemical modification of hemp fibres by plasma treatment for eco-composites based on biodegradable polyester

  • Composites & nanocomposites
  • Published:
Journal of Materials Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this paper, raw hemp fibres were used to reinforce a commercial biopolyester, namely poly(1,4-butylene adipate-co-terephthalate), to achieve eco-composite materials. To promote the adhesion between the polyester matrix and the fibrous reinforcement, chemical modification of fibres surface with coupling agents was accomplished. Usually, the grafting of coupling molecules is carried out involving high amount of solvents. Here, in a general approach of an environmental sustainability, uncut, combed and slightly stretched hemp fibres were treated with a green process based on a novel soft plasma jet device (developed by Nadir Srl). This technique activates the fibres surface and, at the same time, allows the deposition of reactive monomers as coupling agents. Three different monomers were investigated: methyl methacrylate (MMA), (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) and (3-glycidyloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane. Unmodified and surface-modified fibres were characterized and compared in terms of thermal behaviour and morphological features. Long-fibre eco-composites were then prepared by different compression moulding procedures and characterized by thermal, morphological and dynamic mechanical analysis. Experimental evidences indicated that the cold plasma deposition/grafting treatment was successfully carried out; the composite with the best mechanical performance resulted that obtained by using APTES as coupling agent.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7
Figure 8
Figure 9

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Shahzad A (2011) Hemp fiber and its composites—a review. J Compos Mater 46:973–986

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Koohestani B, Darban AK, Mokhtari P, Yilmaz E, Darezereshki E (2019) Comparison of different natural fiber treatments: a literature review. Int J Environ Sci Technol 16:629–642

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Pickering KL, Aruan Efendy MG, Le TM (2016) A review of recent developments in natural fibre composites and their mechanical performance. Compos A Appl Sci Manuf 83:98–112

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Belgacem MN, Gandini A (2008) Polymers and composites from renewable resources. Elsevier, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  5. Bledzki AK, Mamun AA, Lucka-Gabor M, Gutowski VS (2008) The effects of acetylation on properties of flax fibre and its polypropylene composites. eXPRESS Polym Lett 2:413–422

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Huda MS, Drzal LT, Mohanty AK, Misra M (2008) Effect of chemical modifications of the pineapple leaf fiber surfaces on the interfacial and mechanical properties of laminated biocomposites. Compos Interfaces 15:169–191

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Praveen KM, Thomas S, Grohens Y, Mozetič M, Junkar I, Primc G, Gorjanc M (2016) Investigations of plasma induced effects on the surface properties of lignocellulosic natural coir fibres. Appl Surf Sci 368:146–156

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Relvas C, Castro G, Rana S, Fangueiro R (2015) Characterization of physical, mechanical and chemical properties of quiscal fibres: the influence of atmospheric DBD plasma treatment. Plasma Chem Plasma Process 35:863–878

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Žigon J, Petrič M, Dahle S (2018) Dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma pretreatment of lignocellulosic materials in air at atmospheric pressure for their improved wettability: a literature review. Holzforschung 72:979–991

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Wielen LC, Ragauskas AJ (2006) Future structure and properties of mechanism-based wound dressings. In: Edwards V, Buschle-Diller G, Goheen S (eds) Modified fibers with medical and specialty applications, 1st edn. Springer, Amsterdam

    Google Scholar 

  11. Vander Wielen LC, Ragauskas A (2004) Grafting of acrylamide onto cellulosic fibers via dielectric-barrier discharge. Eur Polym J 40:477–482

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Mussano F, Genova T, Verga Falzacappa E, Scopece P, Munaron L, Rivolo P, Mandracci P, Benedetti A, Carossa S, Patelli A (2017) In vitro characterization of two different atmospheric plasma jet chemical functionalizations of titanium surfaces. Appl Surf Sci 409:314–324

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Patelli A, Mussano F, Brun P, Genova T, Ambrosi E, Michieli N, Mattei G, Scopece P, Moroni L (2018) Nanoroughness, surface chemistry, and drug delivery control by atmospheric plasma jet on implantable devices. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 10:39512–39523

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Conzatti L, Brunengo E, Utzeri R, Castellano M, Hodge P, Stagnaro P (2018) Macrocyclic oligomers as compatibilizing agent for hemp fibres/biodegradable polyester eco-composites. Polymer 146:396–406

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Patelli A, Verga Falzacappa E, Scopece P, Pierobon R (2015) WO2015071746 A1

  16. Patelli A, Verga E, Nodari L, Petrillo SM, Delva A, Ugo P, Scopece P (2018) A customised atmospheric pressure plasma jet for conservation requirements. IOP Conf Ser Mater Sci Eng 364:012079

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Sonnenfeld A, Tun TM, Zajícková L, Kozlov KV, Wagner H-E, Behnke JF, Hippler R (2002) Deposition process based on organosilicon precursors in dielectric barrier discharges at atmospheric pressure—a comparison. Plasmas Polym 6:237–266

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Lecoq E, Duday D, Bulou S, Frache G, Hilt F, Maurau R, Choquet P (2013) Plasma polymerization of APTES to elaborate nitrogen containing organosilicon thin films: influence of process parameters and discussion about the growing mechanisms. Plasma Process Polym 10:250–261

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Vangeneugden D, Paulussen S, Goossens O, Rego R, Rose K (2005) Aerosol-assisted plasma deposition of barrier coatings using organic–inorganic sol–gel precursor systems. Chem Vap Depos 11:491–496

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Mwaikambo LY, Ansell MP (2006) Mechanical properties of alkali treated plant fibres and their potential as reinforcement materials II. Sisal fibres. J Mater Sci 41:2483–2496. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-006-5075-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Conzatti L, Utzeri R, Hodge P, Stagnaro P (2016) Biodegradable polyester-based eco-composites containing hemp fibers modified with macrocyclic oligomers. AIP Conf Proc 1736:1

    Google Scholar 

  22. Xie Y, Hill CAS, Xiao Z, Militz H, Mai C (2010) Silane coupling agents used for natural fiber/polymer composites: a review. Compos Part A 41:806–819

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Brochier Salon MC, Belgacem MN (2010) Competition between hydrolysis and condensation reactions of trialkoxysilanes, as a function of the amount of water and the nature of the organic group. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 366:147–154

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors also thank Mr. A. Vallin for his helpful contribution.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Istituto per lo Studio delle Macromolecole (ISMAC) – Sede di Genova, CNR, Via De Marini 6, 16149, Genoa, Italy

    Elisabetta Brunengo, Lucia Conzatti, Roberto Utzeri & Paola Stagnaro

  2. Dipartimento di Chimica e Chimica Industriale, Università di Genova, Via Dodecaneso 31, 16146, Genoa, Italy

    Elisabetta Brunengo, Silvia Vicini & Maila Castellano

  3. NADIR SrL, c/o Campus Scientifico Università Ca’ Foscari Venezia, ETA Building, Via Torino 155b, 30172, Mestre, VE, Italy

    Marco Scatto & Emanuele Verga Falzacappa

Authors
  1. Elisabetta Brunengo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Lucia Conzatti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Roberto Utzeri
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Silvia Vicini
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Marco Scatto
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Emanuele Verga Falzacappa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Maila Castellano
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Paola Stagnaro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Lucia Conzatti or Maila Castellano.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Brunengo, E., Conzatti, L., Utzeri, R. et al. Chemical modification of hemp fibres by plasma treatment for eco-composites based on biodegradable polyester. J Mater Sci 54, 14367–14377 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-019-03932-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-019-03932-8

Search

Navigation