Several composites were prepared based on a polypropylene random copolymer (PPR) and different amounts of date stone flour (DSF). This cellulosic fiber was silanized beforehand in order to reduce its hydrophilicity and improve the interfacial adhesion with the polymer. Other composites were also obtained, including a sorbitol derivative as an effective nucleant. Films made from these composites were prepared using two different thermal treatments, involving slow crystallization and rapid cooling from the melt. Scanning electron microscopy was used to evaluate the morphological features and the DSF particle dispersion within the PPR matrix. X-ray diffraction experiments and differential scanning calorimetry tests were employed to assess the crystalline characteristics and for the phase transitions, paying especial attention to the effects of the DSF and nucleating agent on PPR crystallization. An important nucleation ability was found for DSF, and evidently for the sorbitol derivative. The peak crystallization temperature upon cooling was considerably increased by the incorporation of either the nucleant or DSF. Additionally, a much higher proportion of orthorhombic crystals developed in relation to the monoclinic ones. Moreover, the mechanical responses were estimated from the microhardness experiments and significant improvements were found with increasing DSF contents. All of these findings indicate that the use of silanized DSF is a fairly good approach for the preparation of polymeric eco-composites, taking advantage of the widespread availability of this lignocellulosic material, which is otherwise wasted.
Keywords: X-ray diffraction; date stone flour; differential scanning calorimetry; microhardness; polypropylene random copolymer; sorbitol derivative.