Reinforcing agents based on cellulose fibers modified by insertion of end-alkyl groups obtained from pyrolytic bio-oil of sugarcane bagasse.

Modification of cellulose fibers is a promissory alternative for the production of new composite materials, but the high hydrophilicity of cellulose limits its use as a reinforcing agent in the making of olefin-based composites. The aim of this research was to develop reinforcing agents based on cellulose fibers modified by insertion of end-alkyl groups from pyrolytic bio-oil (PBO). For that, PBO of sugarcane bagasse was obtained and characterized by several techniques including gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Later, the surface of cellulose fibers was activated using methylene-bis-isocyanate and modified using acetic acid, formic acid, and PBO. Results show that the modification of cellulose surface is possible by the use of PBO at low temperature obtaining results like to those obtained when organic acids are used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]