Abstract
In this study, cellulose acetate (CA)/cellulose nanofibril (CNF) film was prepared via solvent casting. CNF was used as reinforcement to increase tensile properties of CA film. CNF ratio was varied into 3, 5, and 10 phr (parts per hundred rubbers). Triacetin (TA) and triethyl citrate (TC) were used as two different eco-friendly plasticizers. Two different types of solvent, which are acetone and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), were also used. CA/CNF film was prepared by mixing CA and CNF in acetone or NMP with 10% concentration and stirred for 24 h. Then, the solution was cast in a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) dish followed by solvent evaporation for 12 h at room temperature for acetone and 24 h at 80 °C in an oven dryer for NMP. The effect of solvent type, plasticizers type, and CNF amount on film properties was studied. Good dispersion in NMP was evident from the morphological study of fractured surface and visible light transmittance. The results showed that CNF has a better dispersion in NMP which leads to a significant increase in tensile strength and elastic modulus up to 38% and 65%, respectively, compared with those of neat CA. CNF addition up to 5 phr loading increased the mechanical properties of the film composites.
Highlights
Cellulose is a bio-based plastic polymer that can be derived from biomass
In the research conducted by Phuong et al in 2014, 20% TA addition into cellulose acetate (CA) obtained a tensile strength of 58.3 MPa, Elastic modulus of 3100 MPa, and elongation at break of 8.3%; when TA concentration increased to 30%, tensile strength decreased to 30.2 MPa, elastic Modulus decreased to 2100 GPa, and elongation at break increased to 11.6% [16]
In the research conducted by Park et al, 2014, 20% triethyl citrate (TC) addition into CA obtained a tensile strength of 70 MPa, Elastic modulus of 4100 MPa, and elongation at break of 8.5%; when TC concentration increased to 30%, tensile strength decreased to 61 MPa, Elastic modulus decreased to 2100 MPa, and elongation at break increased to 11.6% [11]
Summary
Cellulose is a bio-based plastic polymer that can be derived from biomass. it is highly available. It could impede the function of CA bio-plastics in specific industries For this reason, the use of reinforcement or filler is needed to improve the tensile strength of CA [17]. Cellulose nanofibril (CNF) is one type of nanocellulose that contains long, flexible, and entangled fiber [20] It has several advantages such as high tensile properties and high specific surface area, and being renewable and biodegradable [21]. CNF is considered as a potential reinforcing filler for manufacturing composites as it is renewable, lightweight, and cost effective [22,23] It has high young’s modulus and tensile properties [24]. The novelty of the present work lies in the manufacture and comparison of the properties of new CA/CNF films using two different solvents so as to indicate the better solvent for film making
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