Inverse gas chromatography for studying interaction of materials used for cellulose fiber/polymer composites

摘要

The objective of this research was to use inverse gas chromatography (IGC)to infer fiber-matrix interactions for predicting practical adhesion between cellulose fibers and polystyrene matrix polymer.IGC experiments were performed on polystyrene,untreated,alkyl-and amino-silanated cellulose (lyocell)fibers.The fiber-matrix acid-base interaction was quantified by (1)pairing the acidic parameter (K_A)of one component with the basic parameter (K_B)of another component and (2)observing the adsorption enthalpy of the polymer building blocks (ethylbenzene)onto the fibers.Results show that the cellulose/polystyrene acid-base interaction inferred from interaction parameters is closely correlated to that evaluated from the specific adsorption of ethylbenzene.This feature indicates that the acid-base interactions,which play an important role in the adhesion between fibers and polystyrene,can be conveniently predicted from their respective acid and base parameters (K_A and K_B)prior to composites'manufacture.A specific implication of this study is that treatment with an aminosilane is likely to improve interaction and,hence,bonding with polystyrene in a composite system.Treatment with alkylsilane,on the other hand,would result in a weak interaction with polystyrene.These predictions will be verified in future studies which will correlate materials interactions with interfacial micromechanics in the resulting micro-composites.