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As a new textile fiber produced from Neosinocalamus affinis, the structures of the bamboo fiber were studied thoroughly in this research. Using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) (using a Micro-FTIR Spectrometer), X-ray diffraction (XRD), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), we investigate the chemical composition, crystalline structure, molecular and morphology structure, respectively. Results show that the chemical composition of bamboo fiber is the same as all bast fibers, that is, cellulose constitutes the majority and lignin needs to be reduced further for textile applications. The bamboo fiber belongs to cellulose I crystalline structure as flax, cotton and ramie, while has a small molecular mass and a low degree of polymerization. The cross section of the single bamboo fiber is round with small lumen. It can be predicted that bamboo fiber has high breaking strength, but low elongation and has good water absorption properties. The structural characteristics of the bamboo fiber are different from those of other textile plant fibers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural fiber-reinforced biocomposites displaying light weight, low thermal conductivity and reduced environmental footprint are increasingly relevant in structural, packaging, cementitious and masonry materials. However, the poor interfacial compatibility between fibers and typical polymers has limited the development of mechanical strength and water resistance. Here, we report a green, facile and effective method inspired by nature to promote interfacial adhesion in biocomposites based on a biodegradable aliphatic polyester (polybutylene succinate, PBS). For this purpose, PBS was reinforced with bamboo fibers modified with (3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane and polydopamine (PDA). The PDA deposition and covalent adhesion with the fibers were promoted by self-polymerization and Michael addition and/or Schiff based secondary reactions. A distinct improvement in reinforcement was achieved together with gains in performance, including tensile strength (70%), tensile modulus (25%), flexural strength (37%), flexural modulus (24%) and impact strength (63%). The results far exceeded those measured for other fiber-reinforced biocomposites while simultaneously introduced water resistance. A green, facile and effective strategy inspired by the super-adhesion behavior of mussels is proposed to achieve high interfacial coupling in composites formed with bamboo fibers and polybutylene succinate (PBS). [Display omitted] • Catechol-activated bamboo fibers are effective to reinforce biocomposites. • The bamboo fiber disperse uniformly in the matrix (polybutylene succinate, PBS). • The fibers form a hybrid network with amine silane-polydopamine. • High interfacial adhesion develops between the fibers and PBS. • High strength and water resistance are achieved with the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bamboo fibers (BFs)-reinforced epoxy resin (EP) composites are prepared by resin transfer molding (RTM). The influence of BFs surface modification (NaOH solution or coupling agents, i.e., KH550 and KH560) on interfacial properties of BFs/EP composites is systematically investigated. The synergistic effect of hydrolysis, peeling reaction of BFs, and the condensation reaction of hydrolyzed coupling agents are confirmed by FTIR. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) reveal that the interfacial compatibility of NaOH- and silane-modified BFs/EP composites was significantly improved. KH550-modified BFs/EP composite renders optimal tensile, flexural, and impact strength values of 68 MPa, 86 MPa, and 226 J/m. The impact resistance mechanism at the interface of BFs/EP composites was proposed. Moreover, the dynamic mechanical properties, creep behavior, and differential scanning calorimetry of BFs/EP composites have also been carried out to understand thermal stabilities. Overall, the surface-modified BFs-reinforced EP composites exhibited superior interfacial bonding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new and eco-friendly mussel-inspired surface modification pathway for bamboo fiber (BF) is presented in this study. The self-assembly polydopamine (PDA) coating can firmly adhere on BF surface, which also serves as a bridge to graft octadecylamine (ODA) for hydrophobic surface preparation. The as-formed PDA/ODA hybrid layer could supply abundant hydrophobic long-chain alkyls groups and generated a marked increase in BF surface roughness and a marked decrease in surface free energy. These changes provided advantages to improve fiber–matrix interfacial adhesion and wettability. Consequently, high performance was achieved by incorporating the hybrid modified BF into the polybutylene succinate (PBS) matrix. The resultant composite exhibited excellent mechanical properties, particularly tensile strength, which markedly increased by 77.2%. Meanwhile, considerable high water resistance with an absorption rate as low as 5.63% was also achieved. The gratifying macro-performance was primarily attributed to the excellent interfacial adhesion attained by hydrogen bonding and physical intertwining between the PDA/ODA coating on the BF and the PBS matrix, which was further determined by fracture morphology observations and dynamic mechanical analysis. Owing to the superior adhesive capacity of PDA, this mussel-inspired surface modification method may result in wide-ranging applications in polymer composites and be adapted to all natural fibers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A polyacrylate-based wetting agent, BYK-358N, was used to improve the interfacial bonding between the bamboo fibers and epoxy matrix. Fourier transform infrared spectrometer and differential scanning calorimetry were used to study the curing process of epoxy resin. The wettability of the treated bamboo fiber, which by the untreated and wetting agent treated epoxy, was studied using the surface tension of epoxy and bamboo fiber. The analysis of dynamic contact angle and interfacial shear stress confirmed that the composite interface was improved. Finally, Vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding was used to prepare bamboo fiber reinforced epoxy resin (BF/EP) composites, and the tensile properties were measured. The results showed that the addition of the wetting agent could effectively improve the interface compatibility of BF/EP composites. The interfacial shear stress of BF/EP composites treated with 1% wetting agent was 24.36 MPa, tensile strength was 111.54 MPa, and Young's modulus was 3.90 GPa, which was 165.7%, 99.7%, and 66.7% higher than that of untreated BF/EP composites. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]