Recycled Polypropylene Composites Reinforced with Microcellulose Fibres and Microcellulose-Derived Biochar: Thermal, Rheological and Mechanical Performance.
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| Title: | Recycled Polypropylene Composites Reinforced with Microcellulose Fibres and Microcellulose-Derived Biochar: Thermal, Rheological and Mechanical Performance. |
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| Authors: | Wyderkiewicz, Wiktor1 (AUTHOR), Miedzianowska-Masłowska, Justyna1 (AUTHOR), Sowińska-Baranowska, Anna1 (AUTHOR), Masłowski, Marcin1 (AUTHOR) marcin.maslowski@p.lodz.pl |
| Source: | Materials (1996-1944). May2026, Vol. 19 Issue 10, p1942. 28p. |
| Subjects: | Biochar, Cellulose fibers, Polypropylene, Thermal properties, Composite materials, Circular economy, Rheology, Mechanical behavior of materials |
| Abstract: | Highlights: Biochar retained most of the original microcellulose fibre morphology. MCF and BC nucleated rPP crystallization and increased stiffness. BC improved thermal stability and char residue of rPP composites. Low MCF loading increased flowability, while BC reduced melt flow indices. The approach supports circular use of PP waste and cellulosic biomass. The mechanical recycling of mono-material biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) packaging films produces recycled polypropylene (rPP) with degraded properties, limiting its use in higher-performance applications. This study investigates rPP reinforcement with 6–12 µm microcellulose fibres (MCFs, 2–10 pbw) and microcellulose-derived biochar (BC, 5–20 pbw), characterized by DSC, TGA/DTG, MVR/MFR, temperature-dependent rheology, mechanical testing and water contact angle (WCA) measurements. Both fillers acted as heterogeneous nucleating agents, shifting crystallization by up to 4 °C and increasing crystallinity by 2–4%. MCF introduced an additional low-temperature degradation step, whereas BC increased onset and peak degradation temperatures by up to 20 °C and increased char yield. Low MCF loadings increased MVR/MFR by 20–25% and reduced melt viscosity, while BC decreased flow indices by up to 50% and stiffened the melt. Tensile and flexural moduli increased by 15–25% with MCF and 40–50% with BC, with a stiffness–toughness trade-off at the highest BC contents. MCF reduced the water contact angle to 63.0° at 10 pbw, while BC increased it to 108.1° at 20 pbw, indicating opposite effects on surface wettability. Converting a single cellulosic feedstock into fibrous or carbonised fillers enables bio-based upgrading of rPP, in line with circular economy principles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Engineering Source |
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| Abstract: | Highlights: Biochar retained most of the original microcellulose fibre morphology. MCF and BC nucleated rPP crystallization and increased stiffness. BC improved thermal stability and char residue of rPP composites. Low MCF loading increased flowability, while BC reduced melt flow indices. The approach supports circular use of PP waste and cellulosic biomass. The mechanical recycling of mono-material biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) packaging films produces recycled polypropylene (rPP) with degraded properties, limiting its use in higher-performance applications. This study investigates rPP reinforcement with 6–12 µm microcellulose fibres (MCFs, 2–10 pbw) and microcellulose-derived biochar (BC, 5–20 pbw), characterized by DSC, TGA/DTG, MVR/MFR, temperature-dependent rheology, mechanical testing and water contact angle (WCA) measurements. Both fillers acted as heterogeneous nucleating agents, shifting crystallization by up to 4 °C and increasing crystallinity by 2–4%. MCF introduced an additional low-temperature degradation step, whereas BC increased onset and peak degradation temperatures by up to 20 °C and increased char yield. Low MCF loadings increased MVR/MFR by 20–25% and reduced melt viscosity, while BC decreased flow indices by up to 50% and stiffened the melt. Tensile and flexural moduli increased by 15–25% with MCF and 40–50% with BC, with a stiffness–toughness trade-off at the highest BC contents. MCF reduced the water contact angle to 63.0° at 10 pbw, while BC increased it to 108.1° at 20 pbw, indicating opposite effects on surface wettability. Converting a single cellulosic feedstock into fibrous or carbonised fillers enables bio-based upgrading of rPP, in line with circular economy principles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 19961944 |
| DOI: | 10.3390/ma19101942 |
