- By:
- Bista, Bivek; Wang, Lu; Lee, Olivia; Zhao, Xianhui ; Ozcan, Soydan ; Gardner, Douglas
- Journal Name:
- Materials Today Communications
- Page Number:
- 115809
- Volume:
- 55
- Publication Date:
- August 10, 2026
- View DOI Listing:
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtcomm.2026.115809
Abstract
Hybrid fiber-reinforced polymer composites (HFRPs) are multifunctional materials that bear more than one characteristic benefit. In this study, hybrid cellulose fibers, e.g., pulp fiber (PF) and cellulose nanofibril (CNF), were used for reinforcing poly(lactic acid) (PLA). A synergistic approach was applied to disperse CNF. The low-surface-tension solvent (ethanol), together with PF templating, assisted the dispersion of CNF in PLA. The HFRP achieved a higher tensile strength (∼70 MPa, 29% increase from PLA) and modulus (∼7 GPa, 46% increase from PLA), as well as a higher heat deflection temperature (∼60℃, 6℃ increase compared to neat PLA), compared to single-reinforcement FRPs. Additionally, the formulation was demonstrated to be potentially suitable for large-scale additive manufacturing.
