The effect of dense polymer brush on the microfibrillated cellulose for the mechanical properties of poly(ε-caprolactone) biocomposites

Two different cellulosic fibers [pristine microfibrillated celluloses (MFCs) and 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid-modified MFCs (bis-MPA-modified MFCs)] were grafted by poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) molecules through the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) method. The PCL-grafted MFCs were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and elemental analysis. The results showed that the grafting of PCL on the bis-MPA-modified MFCs was more efficient than that of the pristine MFCs due to the higher density of the activated hydroxyl groups on the bis-MPA-modified MFCs. Furthermore, the numerous PCL chains bound to the bis-MPA-modified MFCs (PCL-g-mMFC) demonstrated the stronger interfacial adhesion between the modified MFC fibers and the PCL matrix, as well as the greatly improved dispersion of the modified MFCs in the PCL matrix of the PCL/cellulose biocomposites.