Effect of MAPP and TMPTA as compatibilizer on the mechanical properties of cellulose and oil palm fiber empty fruit bunch-polypropylene biocomposites

The effect of compatibilizers, namely, maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP GR-205) and trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA), on the mechanical and morphological properties of the PP-cellulose (derived from oil palm empty fruit bunch fiber) and PP-oil palm empty fruit bunch fiber (EFBF) biocomposites has been studied. The ratio of PP: cellulose and PP: EFBF is fixed to 70: 30 (wt/wt%) while the concentration of the compatibilizer is varied from 2.0 to 7.0 wt%. Results reveal that at 2.0 wt% of MAPP concentration, tensile strength of PP-EFBF biocomposite is significantly improved. This is due to the enhanced EFBF matrix adhesion resulting in an improvement in EFBF biocomposite performance. There are no significant changes observed in the PP-cellulose biocomposite properties upon the addition of MAPP. In contrast to the tensile strength, flexural modulus and impact strength are significantly improved with the addition of 2.0 wt% TMPTA to PP-cellulose biocomposite. The enhancement of mechanical properties in the presence of TMPTA is believed to be attributed to crosslinking of multifunctional monomer with the hydroxyl groups of cellulose.