Composites consisting of poly(ε-caprolactone) and cellulose fibers directly molded during polymerization by yttrium triflate

Abstract

Composite samples consisting of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and cellulose fibers (CF) were prepared by the direct molding method during polymerization from ε-caprolactone (CL) monomers. CL liquid was mixed with yttrium triflate as a catalyst and 2-propanol as an initiator. CF was easily added to CL liquid and was homogeneously mixed with CL liquid by this method. The mixture was put into a plastic tube. Heating temperature varied from 60 to 120 °C and heating time varied from 6 to 48 h. CF content varied from 0 to 30 wt%. After cooling, the sample was removed from the tube and cut into a column shaped specimen. PCL composites with CF dispersed homogeneously were obtained. The mechanical properties such as elastic modulus and strength of these PCL composites with CF were measured by compression test using the above specimen. The maximum values of modulus and strength of composite samples are the maximum values 654 and 13 MPa, when fiber content was 34% and these values are greater than those of PCL samples without CF. The biodegradability of PCL composites in an aqueous medium with commercial compost was evaluated measuring the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). The biodegradability of composite samples was not affected by the presence of CF.