Lignocellulosic Fibres

Professor Mohini Sain

The University of Toronto has received more than six million dollars to expand the existing infrastructure of the Centre for Biocomposite and Biomaterials Processing. This new Centre bridges the research activities of three faculties within the University and eight national universities. The research is led by Professor Mohini Sain in collaboration with Professors Mark Kortschot, Ning Yan, and Chul Park and focusses on the development of novel fibres and fibre-based materials that add value to wood and agro-residues.

Over the past year, research continued on nano-biocomposites manufacturing. The group worked with a team of international researchers and graduate students to mass-produce nano-fibres from wood, agro and root-based raw materials. In the nano-fibre isolation project, structurally strong nano-fibres were isolated from bleached kraft pulp and then characterized using a high pressure defibrillation process. Another ongoing project involves microfibre dispersion in biopackaging. Funded by Auto-21 Network of Centre of Excellence, the group has made significant progress in developing novel ways to incorporate wood and other natural fibres in liquid molding and injection molding processes to enhance fibre dispersion and resin impregnation in manufacturing high impact resistant structural parts.

SEM images of hemp fibre cross sections

Current research also focusses on modelling the strength properties of hybrid composites. Studies include the investigation of the melt rheology of surface active functional compounds to improve the flow behaviour of natural fibre-polyolefin compositions and the development of novel UV stabilization chemistry through enhanced understanding of the degradation mechanism of wood and plastics materials in moisture induced compositions.

In a study on wood preservation and the durability of wood products, students are examining the diffusion behaviour of oil and other polymeric materials in the wood cell wall, as well as the effect of polyols on the dimensional stability of wood. Other studies focus on the weathering degradation of natural fibre composites, including the issues of UV weathering degradation and impact behaviour, and the micromechanical properties of natural fibre composites at the interphase.

Another interesting area of research is the study of hybrid nanocomposites based on nano-clay and wood fibre. Researchers in this group are developing novel ways to disperse nano-clay in a thermoplastics matrix to improve the impact and flame-retardant behaviour of wood fibre plastics composites. They are also investigating ways to develop fine microcellular structure in wood fibre plastics composites.

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