Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
9
Recent Advances in Nanocomposites Based on
Biodegradable Polymers and Nanocellulose
J. I. Morán , L. N. Ludueña and V. A. Alvarez*
Composite Materials Group (CoMP), INTEMA, Engineering Faculty, National University of Mar
del Plata, Mar del Plata, Argentina
Abstract
Because of waste accumulation at the end of the life cycle of traditional polymer products, the
development of environmentally-friendly, degradable, polymeric materials has attracted exten-
sive interest. Nevertheless, the properties of such kinds of polymers are lower than that of tradi-
tional ones. h ermoplastic polymers have been widely used as matrix of composites reinforced
with natural i bers in order to achieve a i nal material with improved mechanical properties
with respect to the pure polymer. In order to obtain competitive products, the performance of
biodegradable polymers can be greatly enhanced by the incorporation of nanometer-size i llers.
Due to the good mechanical properties, nanocellulose has generated a great deal of interest
as a source of nanometer-sized reinforcement. In the last years these i bers also attracted much
attention due to environmental concerns, especially as the reinforcement of biodegradable poly-
mers to produce fully biodegradable nanocomposites with enhanced mechanical properties.
h is chapter reviews the dif erent ways to obtain nanocellulose from several sources (micro-
crystalline cellulose, natural i bers and agro-wastes), the characteristics of obtained products
and the recent advances in biodegradable polymers/cellulose nanocomposites for packaging
applications .
Keywords:
Nanocellulose, polymer, nanocomposite, morphology, properties, compatibility,
processing
9.1
Introduction
Because of waste accumulation at the end of the life cycle of traditional polymer prod-
ucts, the development of environmentally-friendly, degradable, polymeric materials has
attracted extensive interest [1]. Nevertheless, the properties of such kinds of polymers
are lower than that of traditional ones. h ermoplastic polymers have been widely used
as matrix of composites reinforced with natural i bers in order to achieve a i nal material
with improved mechanical properties with respect to the pure polymer [2]. In order to
