Performance elevation of bamboo flour/high-density polyethylene composites by pretreating bamboo flour with mussel adhesive proteins-inspired poly(catechol/amine)

To elevate performance of bamboo flour/high-density polyethylene (BF/HDPE) composites, poly(catechol/amine) (i.e., an adhesive material inspired by mussel adhesive proteins) treatment of BF was researched for the first time. Influence of monomer type was surveyed by applying three representative monomers, i.e., catechol/diethylenetriamine (catechol/DETA), catechol/triethylenetetramine (catechol/TETA), and catechol/tetraethylenepentamine (catechol/TEPA). All the monomers constructed poly(catechol/amine) coatings on BF. Among treated BF, poly(catechol/amine) uploading was 7.21-15.16%, which enlarged the average diameter of BF by 17.53-24.33%. After treatment, the potential of BF to interact with other substances was raised. When using different monomers, fractal dimension and specific area of BF surface were promoted by 3.58-4.31% and 14.08-16.81%, respectively; catechol/DETA and catechol/TEPA also reduced water-BF contact angle by 4.05-6.03 degrees, and increased adhesion work by 8.50-12.69%. The treated BF showed a better interfacial bonding with HDPE, which was verified by physical-mechanical properties of composites. With the change of catechol/amine, composites made from treated BF exhibited a decrease in pore volume and 720 h water absorption by 6.71-15.49% and 42.57-46.54%, respectively, and an increase in flexural strength and distortion temperature by 13.13-23.14% and 3.60-7.30 degrees C, respectively. Overall, the optimal property enhancement for composites was observed in poly(catechol/TEPA) treatment.

Automated summary

This study investigates the effect of poly(catechol/amine) treatment of bamboo flour (BF) on the performance of BF/high-density polyethylene (HDPE) composites. The results show that different monomers used for treatment can increase the diameter of BF, as well as the fractal dimension and specific area of the BF surface, promoting its interaction with other substances. The treated BF exhibits improved interfacial bonding with HDPE, leading to enhanced physical-mechanical properties of the composites.