Modification of nano-kenaf surface with maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene upon improved mechanical properties of polypropylene composite

The surface of nano-kenaf fiber is modified with maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MA-g-PP) and added into PP and the mechanical properties and the flow property of the composite are investigated. The addition of MA-g-PP in nano-kenaf/PP composite increases the tensile strength, the elongation%, and the impact strength (I.S.), while it decreases the flow property (melt flow index) compared to without MA-g-PP composite (nano-kenaf/PP). The scanning electron microscope photograph shows it also increases interfacial adhesion between nano-kenaf and PP matrix. Regardless of MA-g-PP, nano-kenaf fibers shows better adhesion with PP compared to micron-kenaf fibers. Addition of MA-g-PP further improved interfacial adhesion between nano-kenaf surface and PP matrix compared to without MA-g-PP nano-kenaf compound. The addition of MA-g-PP apparently improves the interfacial adhesion between nano-kenaf surface and PP by formation of 3-dimensional network structure.