Abstract
Nanoparticles based on cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and montmorillonite clay (MMT) were prepared using spray freeze-drying. The nanoparticles were then used as reinforcement to prepare nanocomposites with poly(lactic acid) (PLA) as the polymer matrix. The effect of spray freeze-dried CNC (SFD-CNC) and spray freeze-dried MMT (SFD-MMT) on the rheological and mechanical properties of PLA and its blends with poly[(butylene succinate)-co-adipate)] (PBSA) were investigated. An epoxy chain extender was used during preparation of the blends and nanocomposites to enhance the mechanical properties of the products. Different methods such as scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and adsorption/desorption analyses were used to characterize the prepared nanoparticles and their localization in the blends. Dynamic oscillatory shear behavior, elongational viscosity and mechanical characteristics of the nanocomposites of PLA and the blends were evaluated. The results obtained for nanocomposites filled with unmodified SFD-MMT were compared with those obtained when the filler was a commercial organically modified montmorillonite nanoclay (methyl-tallow-bis(2-hydroxyeethyl) quaternary ammonium chloride) (C30B), which was not spray freeze-dried.
Highlights
Biosource, biodegradable and ecofriendly thermoplastic polymers are of interest in the fabrication of sustainable nanocomposites [1]
The samples were coated with 4 nm thick platinum using an EM ACE600 Leica Microsystems high resolution sputter coater (Concord, ON, Canada) and placed directly without further surface treatment in the scanning electron microscope (SEM) chamber
The morphologies of spray dried, freeze dried and spray freeze-dried cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) were investigated in an earlier study [18] using SEM and X-Ray diffraction (XRD)
Summary
Biodegradable and ecofriendly thermoplastic polymers are of interest in the fabrication of sustainable nanocomposites [1]. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is an environmentally benign biopolymer derived from renewable resources (i.e. wheat, corn, rice). It is biodegradable, recyclable, compostable and biocompatible [2]. The energy consumption cost to produce PLA is 25–55% of the corresponding cost for petroleum-based polymers [3]. It can be processed by injection molding, film extrusion, blow molding, thermoforming, fiber spinning and film forming by virtue of its good thermal processability compared to other biopolymers [3]
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