Structure and enhanced mechanical properties of biobased poly(ethylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate) by incorporating with low loadings of talc platelets

Abstract Bio-based renewable poly(ethylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate) (PEF) has emerged as an ideal alternative of fossil-based poly(ethylene terephthalate). Herein, well dispersed PEF/talc composites were successfully fabricated by melt compounding, and the structures and material properties of injection molded products were explored by multiple methods. Despite the amorphous state of as-injected samples, the introducing of talc platelets drastically reinforced the mechanical properties of the composites, and a low loading of 1.0 wt% talc led to the average increments of tensile strength and elongation at break of 49% and 65% respectively without sacrificing thermal stability, relative to pristine PEF. The intensifying effect can be ascribed to the interfacial interaction originating from hydrogen-bonds between the filler and PEF matrix.