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Investigation into hemp fiber- and whisker-reinforced soy protein composites

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Frontiers of Chemistry in China

Abstract

Whiskers, designated as W, were prepared from hemp fibers. Both fibers and whiskers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were used to evaluate the dimensions of the fibers and whiskers, respectively. By incorporating different weight fraction of the fibers and whiskers into soy protein isolate, we prepared two different composites designated as SC and SC-W, respectively. Thiodiglycol was used as a plasticizer for the preparation of composites. The SC and SC-W composites were characterized and compared in terms of mechanical properties, volume fraction of porosity, and water uptake. The results indicated that there was not much significant difference in the properties of the composites. In fact, mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced composites were higher than whisker-reinforced composites at optimum weight fractions. This study can give us the idea about the judicious use of fibers or whiskers as reinforcement materials.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China

    Linxiang Wang, Rakesh Kumar & Lina Zhang

Authors
  1. Linxiang Wang
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  2. Rakesh Kumar
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  3. Lina Zhang
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rakesh Kumar.

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Wang, L., Kumar, R. & Zhang, L. Investigation into hemp fiber- and whisker-reinforced soy protein composites. Front. Chem. China 4, 313–320 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11458-009-0085-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11458-009-0085-9

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