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

LUDUEÑA LEANDRO NICOLAS; FORTUNATI ESTELA; MORÁN JUAN IGNACIO; ALVAREZ VERA; CYRAS VIVIANA; PUGLIA DEBORA; MANFREDI LILIANA; PRACELLA MARIANO

Buenos Aires

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

Universidad de Buenos Aires, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata

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 the blend and nanocomposites than that of the pure PEG, which was attributed to the fractionated 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