Surfactant effects on poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate)/cellulose composites

Cellulose whiskers, isolated from banana waste fibres, were used as a reinforcement in poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) [EVA] matrices, to develop composites. A non-ionic surfactant, poly(ethylene glycol ether), was used to improve the dispersion characteristics of the cellulose whiskers in EVA/cellulose whisker composites. The influence of the surfactant on the morphology, the mechanical properties and the thermal characteristics of the resultant EVA/cellulose whisker composites has been examined. Theoretical models, namely the Halpin-Tsai model and the Nicolais-Narkis model have been used to provide a basis for comparing the results those were derived from investigations of the tensile properties of the composites. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.