Glyoxal, which can be obtained from biomass (as by lipids oxidation), is non-toxic and non-volatile. It was used as a substitute of formaldehyde, which does not have these properties, in the synthesis of a novolac-type phenolic resin, using oxalic acid as a catalyst, which can also be obtained from renewable sources. The glyoxal-phenol resin was used in the preparation of composites reinforced with microcrystalline cellulose (MCC 30, 50, and 70% w/w). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the fractured surfaces showed that the composites presented a good reinforcement/matrix interface. This can be attributed to the high surface area of the MCC and also to the presence of polar groups (hydroxyl) in both cellulose and matrix, which allowed the formation of hydrogen bonds, leading to a good adhesion between the components present at the interface. Dynamic mechanical thermoanalysis (DMTA) showed that all of the obtained composites have high storage modulus at room temperature. Moreover, the composite reinforced with 30% of MCC showed the lowest water absorption, almost the same as that of the phenolic thermoset, which is used in industrial applications. The results showed that composites with good properties can be prepared using high proportions of materials obtained from biomass.
Biobased composites; glyoxal; phenolic resin; microcrystalline cellulose
