Hyperbranched Liquid Crystals Modified with Sisal Cellulose Fibers for Reinforcement of Epoxy Composites

Well-defined functionalized sisal cellulose fibers (SCFs) grafted on hyperbranched liquid crystals (HLP) were synthesized to improve the compatibility between SCFs and epoxy resin (EP). The influence of SCFs-HLP on the mechanical and thermal properties of SCFs-HLP/EP composites was studied. The results show that the mechanical properties of SCFs-HLP/EP composites were enhanced distinctly. Particularly, compared with EP, impact strength, tensile strength, and flexural strength of composites with 4.0 wt % SCFs-HLP were 38.3 KJ.m(-2), 86.2 MPa, and 150.7 MPa, increasing by 118.7%, 55.6%, and 89.6%, respectively. As well, the glass transition temperature of the composite material increased by 25 degrees C. It is hope that this work will inform ongoing efforts to exploit more efficient methods to overcome the poor natural fiber/polymer adhesion in the interface region.