Root-like natural fibers in polypropylene prepared via directed diffusion and self-assembly driven by hydrogen bonding

Abstract

Interfacial properties govern effective transfer of load from a polymer matrix to a reinforced fiber, dictating the mechanical performance of the composite. This paper reports a facile and controlled strategy of preparing root-like natural fibers (NFs) in polypropylene (PP), where the two components are integrated via mechanical interlocking provided by the interfacial grown fiber. Specifically, driven by hydrogen bonding between amide groups of the self-assembling molecules (NAs) and abundant hydroxyl groups existing in the NF, the former selectively diffuses and aggregates on the latter and then self-assembles into branched fibers, which can be tailored finely by the annealing temperature and time as well as cooling rate. This study opens up an interfacial manipulation without preliminary surface modification and holds great potential in preparing NF-reinforced polymer composites.