Exploration on compatibilizing effect of nonionic, anionic, and cationic surfactants on mechanical, morphological, and chemical properties of high-density polyethylene/low-density polyethylene/cellulose biocomposites

Three types of surfactants, specifically cationic, anionic, and nonionic, at different weight percentages were added into high-density polyethylene/low-density polyethylene/cellulose (HDPE/LDPE/cellulose) biocomposites via melt mixing. The cationic and anionic surfactants which are hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HTAB) and sodium stearate (SS), respectively, were added from 4 to 20 wt%, whereas the nonionic surfactant which is sorbitan monostearate (SM) was added from 1 to 5 wt%. The mechanical testing results exhibited that the addition of HTAB increased tensile strength and tensile modulus, while SS deteriorated mechanical properties, while SM increased impact strength and tensile extension of the biocomposites. Based on the mechanical properties results, optimum weight percentages of HTAB and SM were 12 wt% and 4 wt%, respectively. The scanning electron microscopic micrographs displayed that the amount of cellulose fillers pullout decreased with the addition of HTAB, followed by SM, but it increased with SS. Fourier transform infrared spectra, X-ray diffractometer patterns, thermogravimetric analysis results, and differential scanning calorimetry thermograms have confirmed the presence of physical interactions only with the addition of HTAB and SM. Based on the results, compatibilizing effect was found in HTAB, whereas SM has not showed compatibilizing effect but instead plasticizing effect. However, neither compatibilizing nor plasticizing effect was exhibited by SS.