Stearic acid modified casein based nanocomposites with improved mechanical and thermal properties

Abstract

Now biodegradability of plastic materials has a great concern in the research field. Proteins are considered as ideal materials in the production of biodegradable polymers and nanocomposites. Milk proteins especially casein because of its low cost has been used in the production of biopolymers and nanocomposites. In this study, casein and ethyl methacrylate based nanoparticles were prepared by grafting technique which is incorporated in already prepared stearic acid modified casein based polymers at 1% and 5% ratio to produce nanocomposites. The prepared polymers. nanoparticles. nanocomposites were characterised by FT-IR.XRD. SEM and TG-DTA studies. Their mechanical properties are determined by ASTM D882-91. Shore A hardness was performed by ASTM D2240. The results showed an improved thermal and mechanical properties of nanocomposites than polymers.