Progress in nanocomposites based on starch nanocrystals graft polycaprolactone and modified clay: synthesis, characterization, thermal and antibacterial properties

Abstract

This research presents a new approach for the fabrication and the characterization of nanocomposites materials, consisting of corn starch nanocrystals, polycaprolactone and, Maghnite–CTA+ (organophilic modified montmorillonite clay intercalated by cetyltrimethylammonium cations). The latter displayed two distinct roles: Maghnite acts as a catalyst for the in situ graft copolymerization through the ring opening of caprolactone with starch macromolecules and, also served at the same time as a nanofiller. The structural of the obtained materials was identified by FT-IR, Moreover, the dispersion state of Maghnite particles was examined by XRD, SEM, TEM, TGA, and DLS (particle size), thermogravimetric results indicate that the incorporation of the Maghnite organophilic in to the copolymer (SNCs-g-PCL) enhanced the thermal properties of the nanocomposites. Additionally, the nanocomposites show significant behavior against gram positive bacterial (Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia) and gram negative bacterial (Pseudomonas aeruginosa,). The synergistic effects of SNC, PCL, and Maghnite–CTA+ contribute to the development of multifunctional nanocomposites, positioning them for potential applications in areas such as packaging and biomedical materials. This research bridges the gap between renewable resources and advanced materials, offering a sustainable solution with versatile functionalities . These findings underscore the potential of the SNCs-g-PCL/Mag-CTA+ nanocomposites as environmental friendly materials with improved thermal and antimicrobial properties.