Alkali treatment of bamboo powder mixed polypropylene and its effect on properties

© Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd. Bamboo powder (BP) was treated with different concentrations of alkali solution, and modified polypropylene material of bamboo powder/polypropylene blend was prepared. Using the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffractometry (XRD) to study the effects of alkali treatment and various alkali concentrations on the micro-structure and mechanical properties of the modified polypropylene. The test results illustrate that the alkali treatment can remove the amorphous cement between lignocellulose, form more fine mesh structure, and increase the surface area, which is beneficial to improve the mechanical interlock between the fiber and the polymer matrix. Thus, improving the mechanics performance of composites by this method. As the increase of alkali solution concentration, the impact strength of bamboo powder/polypropylene composites show the trend of rising up and then descending. When the concentration of sodium hydroxide is 3%, the bamboo powder/polypropylene composite material has better normal temperature impact strength. When the sodium hydroxide concentration is 9%, the bamboo powder/polypropylene composite has the optimal yield strength.