The functional features and interface design of wood/polypropylene composites based on microencapsulated wood particles via adopting in situ emulsion polymerization

The interface design based on microencapsulated wood particle in wood-polypropylene-composites (WPCs) was reported via in situ emulsion polymerization of butyl-acrylate (BA)/methyl methacrylate (MMA). SEM images, FTIR spectra, and surface parameters proved microencapsulation efficiently. With compatible-crosslinking network on wood surface, wood polypropylene composite was reinforced. For hydrophobic interface, by soaking for 72 h, water absorbance of wood–polypropylene composite decreased from 16.7 to 0.17 wt%. As well as flexural strength and tough parameters, tensile strength reached 37.39 MPa which was enhanced by about 83%. Viscoelastic properties showed microencapsulated effect enhanced the storage modulus of composites and the glass-transition temperature ( T g ) of polymer components. Ascribing to microencapsulated crosslinking interactions and weak chain-motions, the melting enthalpy and initial decomposition temperature ( T d ) of wood–polypropylene composite were also improved. To wood (adopting 72.9 wt% rigid MMA)-polypropylene composite, initial T d was improved from 248 to 356°C. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:427–436, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers