Epoxidised soybean oil polymer composites reinforced with modified microcrystalline cellulose

Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) grafted with n-octadecyl isocyanate (18C-g-MCC) was introduced as the reinforcing filler in epoxidised soybean oil (ESO) polymer. The wetting characteristics of 18C-g-MCC were evaluated by static contact angle and the results show that the hydrophobicity of MCC was improved by the introduction of nonpolar alkyl groups. The ESO composites were synthesised with different contents of 18C-g-MCC (from 0 to 25 wt%) by a thermally cured method. The reinforcing effects of 18C-g-MCC were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, mechanical test, dynamic mechanical analysis and thermal stability test. The results show that the tensile strength, the impact strength, Young's modulus, the flexural strength and glass transition temperature of the composites increase gradually with the increase of 18C-g-MCC content, while the elongation at break begins to decrease with 18C-g-MCC content of more than 20 wt%. Contact angle and water absorption analysis of the composites indicate the addition of 18C-g-MCC increases the water absorption of the ESO polymer.