Molecular Visualization of Maleated Polypropylene in Cellulose-Polypropylene Composites
Christopher D. Webb
Department of Materials Science & Engineering, University of Tennessee
This interactive webpage presents molecular structures used to develop a cellulose-polypropylene composite compatibilized using maleated polypropylene.
Project Overview
The automotive industry is under pressure to reduce carbon emissions. One way to achieve this, is the utilization of natural fiber composites as they are low carbon footprint and globally available materials. Cellulose-polypropylene composites are desirable due to their mechanical properties and robust supply chains. The problem with cellulose-polypropylene composites is interfacial adhesion between phases. Low interfacial adhesion negatively impact the mechanical properties resulting in voids within the composite. This project investigated the use of maleated polypropylene to act as a compatibilizer to improve the interfacial adhesion between cellulose and polypropylene.
• Cellulose fibril reinforcement
• Polypropylene matrix
• Maleated polypropylene compatibilizer
• PP-cellulose-PP-MAH composite
Interactive Molecular Structure Viewer
References
1. Grubb, C. A.; Keffer, D. J.; Webb, C. D.; Kardos, M.; Mainka, H.; Harper, D. P. Composites Part A 2024, 185, 108339.
2. Bledzki, A. K.; Gassan, J. Progress in Polymer Science 1999, 24, 221-274.
3. Möttönen, N. B.; Karttunen, A. J. Molecules 2023, 28, 1115.
posted: May 2026.
updated: May 2026.