To improve the mechanical performance of isotactic polypropylene (iPP), the iPP/bacterial cellulose (BC) composites were prepared. The tensile and impact strength of the composites were maximized (38.21MPa and 2.812 KJ/m2) when maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) content was 7 wt%, the tensile modulus was increased with the higher MAPP content and the maximum value was 1858.39 MPa. Compared with pure iPP, the tensile strength, impact strength and tensile modulus increased by 6.32 MPa, 0.75 KJ/m2, and 279.68 MPa, respectively. Compared with the control group (the sample which added BC but no MAPP added), the tensile strength, impact strength and tensile modulus increased by 5.61 MPa, 0.692 KJ/m2, and 11.24 MPa, respectively. Moreover, the elongation at break of the composites was decreased. Besides, the rheological results and SEM photographs indicated that with the addition of MAPP, the compatibility of the composites was improved greatly, which demonstrated the increase of the mechanical properties of the composites.

Keywords: bacterial cellulose; isotactic polypropylene; mechanical and rheological properties; compatibility