Amorphous cellulose particles, obtained through a solvent-free mechano-chemical process, have been tested for the first time as a potential filler for biodegradable composites based on poly(?-caprolactone) (PCL). Commercial cellulose fibers have been also tested for comparison. An effective interfacial strategy based on a compatibilizing agent, a modified PCL, has been used to improve the polymer/filler interfacial adhesion. Composites have been tested through physico-mechanical characterizations and soil burial degradation tests, in order to evaluate the influence of cellulose structure and morphology and polymer/filler interfacial adhesion on the final properties of the realized materials. The use of the amorphous cellulose particles combined with the presence of a suitable interfacial agent has allowed to modulate relevant technological properties of the realized composites, such as tensile and thermal properties, water absorption, water vapor transmission rate and biodegradation kinetic.
Amorphized cellulose as filler in biocomposites based on poly (e-caprolactone)
M Cocca;R Avolio;G Gentile;E Di Pace;ME Errico;M Avella
2015
Abstract
Amorphous cellulose particles, obtained through a solvent-free mechano-chemical process, have been tested for the first time as a potential filler for biodegradable composites based on poly(?-caprolactone) (PCL). Commercial cellulose fibers have been also tested for comparison. An effective interfacial strategy based on a compatibilizing agent, a modified PCL, has been used to improve the polymer/filler interfacial adhesion. Composites have been tested through physico-mechanical characterizations and soil burial degradation tests, in order to evaluate the influence of cellulose structure and morphology and polymer/filler interfacial adhesion on the final properties of the realized materials. The use of the amorphous cellulose particles combined with the presence of a suitable interfacial agent has allowed to modulate relevant technological properties of the realized composites, such as tensile and thermal properties, water absorption, water vapor transmission rate and biodegradation kinetic.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.