Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene–Cellulose Biocomposites: Molecular Dynamics Simulations Combined with Constant Strain Method

Abstract

The use of biocomposites is increasing due to their recyclability, biodegradability, and decreased CO2 emission levels compared to pure polyolefin plastics. Furthermore, suitably engineered biocomposites can provide, for example, superior mechanical properties for various applications. However, the correlations between the atomic-level structure and mechanical properties of most biocomposites are not yet understood. Atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations provide a powerful way to examine the atomic-level structure and mechanical properties of biocomposites. In this study, polypropylene–cellulose biocomposites were examined using maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (PP-MAH) as a coupling agent. The biocomposites were studied with the Materials Studio program package and COMPASSII force field, using the constant strain approach for mechanical properties. The results were comparable to the experimental literature values, showing that that MD can be applied to study the atomic-level structure–property correlations of polypropylene–cellulose biocomposites.

Keywords

• biocomposites
• molecular dynamics
• mechanical properties
• cellulose
• polypropylene
• maleic anhydride