Innovative cellulose fibres reinforced ethylene-norbornene copolymer composites of an increased degradation potential

An innovative ethylene-norbornene copolymer composites filled with cellulose fibres and montmorillonite (MMT) were investigated to enlighten their mechanical properties, thermal degradation characteristics and thermo-oxidizing accelerated ageing impact. The main idea behind introducing mentioned additives is to produce material not only of a higher degradation potential, but also of a particular strength. Therefore, cellulose fibres have been modified with vinyltrimethoxysilane (VTMS) and maleic anhydride (MA) prior to hydrophobization of their surface and compatibility with the polymer matrix improvement. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) revealed some changes that occurred within the material structure, when modified natural fibres incorporated - C-O and = C-O-C = moieties (1058 cm(-1)). On the other hand, -CH3 (1245 cm(-1)) absorption band intensity decreased suggesting bonds recombination. While, thermogravimetric analysis indicated differences within the thermal behaviour of prepared materials - the highest decomposition temperatures are observed in case of specimens filled with MMT. Moreover, composites underwent 6-week thermo-oxidizing accelerated ageing to identify changes induced in the mechanical and optical properties. Carried out cellulose modification not only has increased composites performance, but also altered ageing impact which may enable creation of a controlled time of life materials - at a certain level this may be achieved with the use of only natural fillers. The approach followed provides a wide range of new and valuable data considering mechanical, rheological, thermal and optical characterization of TOPAS (R) filled with natural additives before and after the ageing process allowing its complete characterization. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.