Effect of acetylation on composite materials based on polypropylene/coffee husk waste

This study is a contribution to the search for a solution on the problem related to environmental pollution by lignocellulosic waste. Indeed, the exploitation of biomass plant makes the development of biodegradable composite materials (filler and matrices) possible. This work aims to prepare and characterize new composite materials based on polypropylene (PP) filled with either treated or untreated coffee husk waste (WCHT, WCHUT) collected from cafeteria waste. The chemical modification and thermal stability of the filler were analyzed. Tensile and rheological properties, water-absorption behavior, and surface morphology of the materials were investigated. The treatment has enhanced the compatibility between PP and WCH by decreasing the hydrophilicity of materials, which is confirmed by the moisture adsorption reduction of the composites. Also, the tensile properties were improved by introduction of treated filler because of the amelioration of interfacial properties. © 2020 by Begell House, Inc.