STTR Phase I: Novel Multifunctional, Bio-Based Coupling Agents for Wood Plastic Composites

该项目更广泛的影响/商业潜力涉及通过商业化由可再生资源（如植物油而不是石油）制成的高效生物基偶联剂显着提高木材聚合物复合材料（WPC）的性能。通过显著提高WPC的性能，将为这些相对低成本、轻质的生物复合材料提供新的应用机会，从而为社会带来实质性的利益。 全球每年生产数百万公吨的WPC。 目前，WPC用于由于模量、强度和蠕变的限制而不需要高承载特性的应用。 为第一阶段工作提出的技术概念预计将通过促进使用更高的木粉（WF）负载来实现更高的模量和强度，以及通过将交联引入基质相来实现更低的变形。 尽管该提议集中于这些新型生物基共聚物作为高性能偶联剂的效用，但这些共聚物也已被证明是用于涂料的优异粘合剂。 因此，这些共聚物的商业化有望对社会产生更广泛的影响，而不仅仅是作为偶联剂。这个小企业技术转让第一阶段项目将确定新型生物基聚合物作为WPC高效偶联剂的可行性。 最常见的WPC是基于WF作为分散相和高密度聚乙烯（HDPE）作为基质。 WF是复合材料的非常理想的增强材料，因为它便宜、丰富、可生物降解、高模量、高强度、重量轻并且对加工设备无磨损。HDPE/WF复合材料的主要技术挑战是在WF纤维和HDPE基体之间获得足够的相容性。 虽然WF纤维的模量和拉伸强度分别比HDPE基体高约40倍和20倍，但如果没有有效的增容作用，WF提供的机械性能增强就不能完全实现。 是团队吗？的信念，该项目提出的生物基聚合物具有理想的化学成分，有效地耦合高密度聚乙烯矩阵的WF纤维，以最大限度地提高机械性能。 此外，聚合物能够将交联引入到基质相中，这有望降低聚合物蠕变。 对于一期工程，生物基偶联剂的化学组成的影响将是研究的主要因素。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this project involves a significant enhancement in the properties of wood polymer composites (WPCs) by the commercialization of a highly effective bio-based coupling agent made from renewable sources such as plant oils instead of petroleum. By significantly enhancing the properties of WPCs, substantial benefit to society will result by providing new application opportunities for these relatively low cost, light weight biocomposites. Globally millions of metric tons of WPCs are produced each year. Currently, WPCs are used for applications that do not require high load bearing characteristics due to limitations in modulus, strength, and creep. The technical concepts proposed for the Phase I effort are expected to enable higher modulus and strength, by facilitating the use of higher wood flour (WF) loadings, as well as lower deformation by introducing crosslinks into the matrix phase. Although this proposal is focused on the utility of these novel bio-based copolymers as high performance coupling agents, these copolymers have also been demonstrated to be excellent binders for coatings. Thus, commercialization of these copolymers is expected to have a broader impact on society beyond use as coupling agents.This Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I project will determine the feasibility of novel bio-based polymers to serve as highly effective coupling agents for WPCs. The most common WPCs are based on WF as the dispersed-phase and high density polyethylene (HDPE) as the matrix. WF is a very desirable reinforcement for composites because it is inexpensive, abundant, biodegradable, high modulus, high strength, light weight, and non-abrasive toward processing equipment. The major technical challenge for HDPE/WF composites is obtaining adequate compatibility between the WF fibers and the HDPE matrix. Although the modulus and tensile strength of WF fibers is approximately 40 and 20 times higher than that of the HDPE matrix, respectively, the mechanical property enhancements provided by the WF cannot be fully realized without effective compatibilization. It is the team?s belief that the bio-based polymers proposed for the project possess the ideal chemical composition for effectively coupling the HDPE matrix to the WF fibers to maximize mechanical properties. In addition, the polymers are capable of introducing crosslinks into the matrix phase, which are expected to reduce polymer creep. For the Phase I project, the effect of the chemical composition of the bio-based coupling agent will be a primary factor investigated.