Biodegradable nanocomposites based on poly(butylene succinate)/nanocellulose: strategy to improve nanoparticle dispersion

LUDUEÑA, LEANDRO; E. FORTUNATI; JUAN I. MORÁN; V. ALVAREZ; V.P. CYRAS; DEBORA PUGLIA; L. B. MANFREDI; M. PRACELLA

Ciudad de Buenos Aires

Conferencia; 6th International Conference on Science and Technology of Composite Materials; 2015

Poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) is one of the most promising biodegradable aliphatic polyester. It is a semi-crystalline polymer with superior mechanical and thermal properties, high chemical resistance and lower cost than other biodegradable plastics. Its processability is similar to that of the polyethylene and its physical properties are comparable to those of polyethylene terephthalate. However, blending of polymers is one easy and effective way to improve its properties. It was also reported the use of nanoparticles to increase some polymer properties. The objective is to improve the properties of PBS by the addition of nanocellulose (CNC). A PEG (polyethylene glycol)/CNC masterbatch was prepared in order to enhance the dispersion of the nanoparticles. The final ratio of PBS/PEG in the nanocomposites with 2, 4 and 6 wt.% of CNC, was 80:20 wt.%. The materials were characterized in order to study the homogeneity of the blends, the nanocellulose dispersion and the influence of the nanoparticles on their final properties.