Extrusion of polysaccharide nanocrystal reinforced polymer nanocomposites through compatibilization with poly(ethylene oxide)

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

ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES

AMER CHEMICAL SOC

Lugar: Washington; Año: 2014 vol. 6 p. 9365 - 9375

1944-8244

Polysaccharide nanocrystals with a rodlike shape but with differentdimensions and specific surface area were prepared from cotton and capim douradocellulose, and with a plateletlike morphology from waxy maize starch granules. Therheological behavior of aqueous solutions of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) withdifferent molecular weights when adding these nanoparticles was investigatedevidencing specific interactions between PEO chains and nanocrystals. Because PEOalso bears hydrophobic moieties, it was employed as a compatibilizing agent for themelt processing of polymer nanocomposites. The freeze-dried mixtures were used toprepare nanocomposite materials with a low density polyethylene matrix by extrusion.The thermal and mechanical behavior of ensuing nanocomposites was studied.