Development and characterization of microcrystalline cellulose based novel multi-scale biocomposites

Abstract

In the present work, novel multi-scale jute/epoxy composites have been developed using microcrystalline cellulose (MCC). MCC was dispersed homogeneously in epoxy resin using ultrasonication energy and subsequently, MCC dispersed epoxy was used to impregnate the jute fabrics. Tensile, flexural and dynamic mechanical properties of the developed multi-scale composites were thoroughly characterized. It was observed that the addition of only 1 wt.% of MCC resulted in up to 18.6% increase in tensile strength, 21.5% increase in flexural strength and 66.7% increase in the storage modulus of the composites.