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Production and characterization of microfibrillated cellulose‐reinforced thermoplastic starch composites
Author(s) -
Lendvai László,
KargerKocsis József,
Kmetty Ákos,
Drakopoulos Stavros X.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.42397
Subject(s) - starch , materials science , thermoplastic , plasticizer , compounding , composite material , extrusion , cellulose , glycerol , plastics extrusion , bioplastic , chemical engineering , chemistry , organic chemistry , engineering , ecology , biology
In this study thermoplastic starch (TPS) matrix‐based microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) reinforced microcomposites were prepared via extrusion compounding in one‐step. Starch was plasticized with a combination of glycerol and water. The native starch/glycerol and the plasticized starch/water ratios were set for 4/1 and 6/1, respectively. Two different MFC types (of varying mean length and diameter) were incorporated up to 20 wt % in the plasticizer‐containing premix prior to its compounding in a twin‐screw extruder. The mechanical properties of the TPS biocomposites were markedly enhanced by the introduction of MFC. The yield strength was improved by ∼50%, whereas the stiffness by ∼250% upon adding 20 wt % MFC compared to the parent TPS. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) revealed that the reinforcing effect of the MFC was more prominent in the starch‐ than in the glycerol (plasticizer)‐rich phase of the TPS. The mean length and diameter of the MFCs, yielding similar aspect ratio values lying below the estimated critical one, influenced the mechanical, thermal, and thermo‐mechanical properties marginally. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133 , 42397.