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Effect of cellulose nanofibers and acetylated cellulose nanofibers on the properties of low‐density polyethylene/thermoplastic starch blends
Author(s) -
Ahmadi Mobina,
Behzad Tayebeh,
Bagheri Rouhollah,
Heidarian Pejman
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
polymer international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.592
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1097-0126
pISSN - 0959-8103
DOI - 10.1002/pi.5592
Subject(s) - materials science , low density polyethylene , nanofiber , cellulose , ultimate tensile strength , maleic anhydride , composite material , thermoplastic , starch , absorption of water , polyethylene , acetic anhydride , polymer blend , chemical engineering , polymer , copolymer , organic chemistry , chemistry , catalysis , engineering
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) and acetylated cellulose nanofibers (ACNFs) on the properties of low‐density polyethylene/thermoplastic starch/polyethylene‐grafted maleic anhydride (LDPE/TPS/PE‐ g ‐MA) blends. For this purpose, CNFs, isolated from wheat straw fibers, were first acetylated using acetic anhydride in order to modify their hydrophilicity. Afterwards, LDPE/TPS/PE‐g‐MA blends were reinforced using either CNFs or ACNFs at various concentrations (1–5 wt%) with a twin‐screw extruder. The mechanical results demonstrated that addition of ACNFs more significantly improved the ultimate tensile strength and Young's modulus of blends than addition of CNFs, albeit elongation at break of both reinforced blends decreased compared with the neat sample. Additionally, biodegradability and water absorption capacity of blends improved due to the incorporation of both nanofibers, these effects being more pronounced for CNF‐assisted blends than ACNF‐reinforced counterparts. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry