Utilization of Microcrystalline Cellulose Prepared from Cotton Waste as Reinforcement in Polypropylene Composites

To obtain polypropylene/microcrystalline cellulose (PP/MCC) composites, PP was melt mixed with three loadings (5, 10 and 15 phr) of MCC prepared by hydrolyzing cotton waste with hydrochloric acid. The prepared MCC was characterized for its crystal structure, particle size, thermal stability and morphology. The tensile properties and thermal stability of PP/MCC composites with and without maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene (MAPP) compatibilizer were investigated using the universal testing machine and thermogravimetric analyzer, respectively. The obtained results showed that the tensile strength, Young’s modulus and thermal stability of the composites were enhanced in a dose dependent manner, whilst the elongation at break was deteriorated with increasing MCC loadings, as compared with the neat PP. However, these properties were all improved with the addition of MAPP into the composites. This work showed that MCC and MAPP could be effectively used as reinforcing agent and compatibilizer, respectively in the PP matrix.