Graphene oxide decorated sisal fiber/MAPP modified PP composites: Toward high-performance biocomposites

In this study, sisal fiber (SF) was treated with graphene oxide (GO) by means of physical absorption method. Maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) was used to modify PP matrix. The GO-SF/MAPP-PP composites with different fiber loading were fabricated by using extrusion compounding and injection molding techniques. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs of the fracture surface demonstrated that the interface adhesion between SF and PP matrix was enhanced by the combination treatment of GO and MAPP. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results demonstrated that GO could play a role of β-nucleating agent for PP crystallization. The combination treatment of GO and MAPP also displayed an effective enhancement on mechanical properties, melting temperature and water resistance of the GO-SF/MAPP-PP composite, which is an useful method to fabricate high performance natural fiber reinforced bio-composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:E113–E121, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers