Effect of acetoxylation of bamboo fiber on the properties of poly(butylene succinate)-based composites

The bamboo fiber (BF) was acetylated and blended with poly (butylene succinate) (PBS). The effects of acetylation condition on mechanical properties, the crystallization properties and thermal properties of bamboo fiber/PBS composites were investigated. Molecular dynamics simulation was used to study the compatibility of composites. The results show that the acetyl is introduced into the bamboo fiber in FT-IR. The mass ratio of bamboo fiber, acetic anhydride and ice acetic acid set as 1∶2.16∶9.18, the amount of catalyst as 0.15% of bamboo fiber at 50℃ for 2 h, the (Ac-BF)/PBS composites get the best mechanical properties, crystallization and thermal properties. Molecular simulations results show that strong interaction exists between Ac-BF and PBS matrix. The lower Flory-Huggins interaction parameters (χ) and mixed energy (E_mix) show a more stable system of Ac-BF/PBS composites. The interface compatibility is effectively improved which verify the performance improvement of the composites.