Starch nanocrystals based polymer nanocomposites

M. PEREDA; EL KISSI, N.; DUFRESNE, A.

Congreso; 12° Congresso Brasileiro de Polímeros (12°CBPol); 2013

The rheological properties of a dispersion of starch nanocrystals (SNCs) in aqueous solutions of polyoxyethylene (PEO) of different molecular weights have been investigated. A peculiar behavior is reported. Upon adding SNC, the viscosity of the suspension first decreases and then it increases above a certain nanocrystals concentration. Adsorption of PEO chains on the surface of the nanoparticles has been suspected. Freeze-drying of these PEO-adsorbed SNC dispersions was performed, and the ensuing lyophilizates were extruded with low density polyethylene (LDPE). Thermal stability of PEO-adsorbed SNC was improved with respect to neat SNC. This simple and physical method constitutes an approach of choice for the melt processing of SNC-based nanocomposites with a hydrophobic polymeric matrix applicable at the industrial scale.