Microfibrillated cellulose with sizing for reinforcing composites with LDPE

Microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) fibers were acylated by the sizing agent, alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA) reagent in an aqueous medium, by simple impregnation. The chemical modification was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and solid-state ¹³C NMR. All the samples were combined with low-density polyethylene and the morphology, thermal properties, mechanical properties and water absorption behavior of the ensuing composites were investigated. The chemical modification of the MFC with ASA improved the interfacial adhesion with the matrix and hence the mechanical properties of the composites while decreasing their water uptake capacity. In addition, it was shown that the degree of substitution strongly influenced the performance of the composites.