Sustainable Nanocomposite Materials from Cellulosic Plastics

M. Misra, H.M. Park, A.K. Mohanty and L.T. Drzal
Michigan State University, US

Keywords: biopolymers, clay, nanocomposites, cellulose ester, compatibilization

Abstract:
Sustainable 'green' nanocomposites were successfully fabricated from cellulose acetate (CA), triethyl citrate (TEC) plasticizer and organically modified clay. Maleic anhydride grafted cellulose acetate butyrate (MA-g-CAB) was used as a compatibilizer. The effect of compatibilizer proportions on the performance of these nanocomposites were evaluated. The mechanical properties of these nanocomposites were correlated with the XRD and TEM observations. Cellulosic plastic-based nanocomposites with 3 wt.% compatibilizer showed better exfoliated structure than the counterpart having 0 or 7.5 wt.% compatibilizer contents. The tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, and thermal stability of these nanocomposites improved with compatibilizer, while the impact strength decreased.

Nanotech 2004 Conference Technical Program Abstract