Preparation and Characterization of Polybutylene-Succinate/Poly(ethylene-glycol)/Cellulose Nanocrystals Ternary Composites

LEANDRO LUDUEÑA; ESTELA FORTUNATTI; JUAN MORÁN; VERA ALVAREZ; VIVIANA CYRAS; DÉBORAH PUGLIA; LILIANA MANFREDI; MARIANO PRACELLA

JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE

JOHN WILEY & SONS INC

Lugar: New York; Año: 2016

0021-8995

Ternary composites were prepared by twin screw extrusion from polybutylene-succinate (PBS), poly(ethylene-glycol) (PEG) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC). A PEG/CNC masterbatch was prepared in order to achieve a good dispersion of hydrophilic CNC in the hydrophobic PBS polymeric matrix. The addition of PEG did not modify the temperature of crystallization (Tc) nor the crystallinity of PBS, however an amount higher than 4wt% of CNC slightly shifted the Tc of PBS to lower temperatures. The crystallization temperature of PEG was lower in theblend and nanocomposites than that of the pure PEG, which was attributed to thefractionated crystallization phenomena of PEG in the PBS matrix. A slightly enhancement in the nanocomposites mechanical properties compared with the PBS/PEG blend was observed. The addition of 4wt% of CNC showed the best mechanical performance among the nanocomposites, in agreement with the better dispersion of the nanoparticles in the PBS/PEG blend.