INVESTIGADORES
ALVAREZ Vera alejandra
congresos y reuniones científicas
Título:
Composites based on biodegradable polymers and natural filler: synthesis, characterization, properties and applications
Autor/es:
JIMENA GONZÁLEZ; VERA ALVAREZ; ROMINA OLLIER; SEBASTIÁN MAIOLO; LEANDRO LUDUEÑA
Reunión:
Congreso; . Frontiers in Polymer Science - Second International Symposium,; 2011
Resumen:
Biodegradable polymers are become significant due to waste accumulation around the
world. Nevertheless, several properties should be improved in order to use them for
specific applications. One of the strategies to do that is to incorporate reinforcements for
example, nanoclays.
In this work, natural filler (bentonite) were incorporated to biodegradable matrices
(polycaprolactone, PCL and polyvinylalcohol, PVOH) in order to produce composites
to be used as packaging and wound dressing.
In the case of PCL, due to its hydrophobicity, it was necessary to modify the bentonite
in order to improve filler/matrix compatibility whereas in the case of PVOH this
procedure was suppressed because both, the matrix and the filler are highly polar.
Composites were prepared, using 0 to 10 wt.% of filler, by casting from aqueous
solutions for PVOH and organic solvent solutions for PCL. PVOH/bentonite hydrogels
were obtained after 3 freezing-thawing cycles and PCL/bentonite nanocomposites were
obtained after solvent evaporation at room temperature.
General properties of matrices and composites were determined analyzing the effect of
particles on each one.
It was determined that the incorporation of bentonite produce a decrease on the water
vapour transmission rate which is very important for both selected applications. On the
other hand, that filler was able to enhance the mechanical performance of neat matrices
measured by tensile and compression properties.
In the case of PCL nanocomposites, the effect of chemical modifier used for bentonite
was evaluated and the best one was selected. Impact properties was also determined due
to it relevance in packaging.
In the case of hydrogels, antimicrobial tests are being carried out because it is essential
for wound healing.
The obtained results allow as being optimist about the potential use of both composites
for each application.