Binary PVA bio-nanocomposites containing cellulose nanocrystals extracted from different natural sources: Part I

• Published in: Carbohydrate polymers Vol. 97; no. 2; pp. 825 - 836
• Main Authors: Fortunati, E., Puglia, D., Luzi, F., Santulli, C., Kenny, J.M., Torre, L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 12.09.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: Absorption; Applied sciences; Asparagaceae - chemistry; Bio-nanocomposites; cellulose; Cellulose - chemistry; Cellulose nanocrystal; Composites; crystallization; Exact sciences and technology; flax; Flax - chemistry; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Hydrolysis; Mechanical Phenomena; Mechanical properties; Nanocomposites - chemistry; Nanocomposites - ultrastructure; nanocrystals; Nanoparticles - chemistry; Nanoparticles - ultrastructure; Natural fibres; Phormium tenax; Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA); Polymer industry, paints, wood; Polyvinyl Alcohol - chemistry; solvents; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Technology of polymers; Temperature; Tensile Strength; thermal analysis; Water - chemistry; Water absorption capacity; water binding capacity; Mechanical properties; Natural fibres; Cellulose nanocrystal; Bio-nanocomposites; Water absorption capacity; Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA); Mixing; Transparency; Dispersion degree; Cellulose; Plant fiber; Transformation temperature; Optical properties; Water absorption; Nanocomposite; Manufacturing; Growth from solution; Nanocrystal; Crystallinity; Experimental study; Polyvinylalcohol; Heat of transformation; Morphology; Kinetics; Filler; Comparative study
• ISSN: 0144-8617; 1879-1344
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2013.03.075

•Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) were extracted from natural Phormium tenax and Flax.•CNC were also extracted from commercial microcrystalline cellulose for comparison.•Natural fibres offered high levels of extraction efficiency.•Homogeneous distribution of CNC in PVA is observed and transparent films are obtained.•CNC promotes the crystallization of the PVA matrix improving its plastic response. PVA bio-nanocomposites reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) extracted from commercial microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and from two types of natural fibres, Phormium tenax and Flax of the Belinka variety, were produced by solvent casting in water. Morphological, thermal, mechanical and transparency properties were studied while the respective efficiency of the extraction process of CNC from the three sources was evaluated. The effect of CNC types and content on PVA properties and water absorption capacity were also evaluated. Natural fibres offered higher levels of extraction efficiency when compared with MCC hydrolysis yield. Thermal analysis proved that CNC promotes the crystallization of the PVA matrix, while improving its plastic response. It was also clarified that all PVA/CNC systems remain transparent due to CNC dispersion at the nanoscale, while being all saturated after the first 18–24h of water absorption.