Solvent-free maleic anhydride grafted cellulose acetate butyrate(MA-g-CAB): synthesis and characterization

Abstract

Our initial work has proven that cellulose esters (particularly plasticized cellulose acetate (CAP) and cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) are much better matrix in terms of mechanical and damping properties as compared to non-polar polypropylene matrix especially when used with natural fiber, such as hemp, as reinforcing material. To further improve adhesion between natural fiber (NF) and cellulose ester (CE) we have synthesized maleic anhydride grafted onto CAB (MA-g-CAB) using reactive extrusion (DSM Micro Extruder) and characterized it using FTIR (qualitative) and acid base titration (quantitative). Initiator and monomer concentrations were optimized based upon FTIR and titration results. Reaction conditions (temperature, rpm) of ZSK-30 Twin Screw Extruder were optimized to get similar acid number and percentage MA grafting yields (high and low value) with those of DSM Micro Extruder results.