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Grape stalk fibers as reinforcing filler for polymer composites with a polystyrene matrix
Author(s) -
Borsoi Cleide,
Menin Cristiano,
Lavoratti Alessandra,
Zattera Ademir José
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.47427
Subject(s) - composite material , materials science , hemicellulose , stalk , lignin , crystallinity , polystyrene , context (archaeology) , polymer , cellulose , chemical engineering , chemistry , paleontology , organic chemistry , horticulture , biology , engineering
Lignocellulosic fibers have been one of the most used reinforcements for different types of composites. In this context, grape stalks—often discarded in landfills—can be a potential reinforcement for composites. The present study aimed to incorporate in natura and alkali treated grape stalks into the polystyrene (PS) matrix. Initially, the grape stalks were treated with NaOH and 10, 20, and 30 wt % of stalks were added into the PS matrix. The alkaline treatment of the grape stalk fibers promoted the removal of hemicellulose and the partial removal of lignin, thus increasing the surface roughness and crystallinity index of the fibers. An improvement in the mechanical and dynamic‐mechanical properties and an increase in the maximum degradation temperature of the composites were observed. In conclusion, the use of grape stalks is a promising alternative for reinforcing composites, and, in addition, a more proper destination can be given to this type of residue. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136 , 47427.