Bio-filler from Mussel Shell: Preparation and Its Effects on Polypropylene Composites Properties

Waste mussel shell stacking with a significant odor and toxicity which are hazardous to human constitutes a serious environmental hazard. For utilization of waste mussel shell resource, granule of mussel shell (YBCC) was prepared from waste mussel shell by removing cuticle, crushing, grinding and shearing emulsification and was introduced as a filler to reinforce polypropylene (PP). The characterization results of YBCC show that the mainly composition of YBCC is aragonite (CaCO3) platelets and the particle size distribution range of YBCC powder is from 40 nm to 500 nm, the proportion of organic components of YBCC is about 2.04wt% and YBCC has a good thermal stability. The mechanical behavior of PP/YBCC composite shows a higher yield strain, yield strength, tensile strength and elongation at break than traditional commercial calcium carbonate (CMCC) filled PP. Yield strength of PP/YBCC composite with 3wt% YBCC is improved by about 11.1%. A small content (about 1wt%) of YBCC can promote the heterogeneous nucleation for PP crystallization and the formation β-crystalline PP. Using mussel shell for producing bio-filler is valuable for industrial production and practical application as fillers for reinforcing polymers.