Multi-scale hybrid biocomposite: Processing and mechanical characterization of bamboo fiber reinforced PLA with microfibrillated cellulose

In this research we develop novel hybrid biocomposites based upon a biodegradable poly(lactic acid) (PLA) matrix reinforced with microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) and bamboo fiber bundles. Due to the relative difference in scale between microfibrillated cellulose and bamboo, a hierarchy of reinforcement is created where bamboo fiber bundles are the primary load-carrying reinforcement and cellulose creates an interphase in the polymer matrix around the bamboo fiber that prevents sudden crack growth. The influence of MFC dispersion on the properties of the PLA matrix was investigated and substantial improvements in the strain energy until fracture observed. By adding just 1 wt% of MFC with a high degree of dispersion an increase in fracture energy of nearly 200% was obtained. In the hybrid bamboo/MFC/PLA composites there is also a dramatic change in the fracture morphology around the bamboo fiber bundles.