Biodegradable polymer composites from renewable resources are the next-generation of wood-like materials and are crucial for the development of various industries to meet sustainability goals. Functional applications like packaging, medicine, automotive, construction and sustainable housing are just some that would greatly benefit. Some of the existing industries, like wood plastic composites, already encompass given examples but are dominated by fossil-based polymers that are unsustainable. Thus, there is a background to bring a new perspective approach for the combination of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) fillers in bio-based poly (butylene succinate) matrix (PBS). MCC, NFC and MCC/NFC filler total loading at 40 wt % was used to obtain more insights for wood-like composite applications. The ability to tailor the biodegradable characteristics and the mechanical properties of PBS composites is indispensable for extended applications. Five compositions have been prepared with MCC and NFC fillers using melt blending approach. Young’s modulus in tensile test mode and storage modulus at 20 °C in thermo-mechanical analysis have increased about two-fold. Thermal degradation temperature was increased by approximately 60 °C compared to MCC and NFC. Additionally, to estimate the compatibility of the components and morphology of the composite’s SEM analysis was performed for fractured surfaces. The contact angle measurements testified the developed matrix interphase. Differential scanning calorimetry evidenced the trans-crystallization of the polymer after filler incorporation; the crystallization temperature shifted to the higher temperature region. The MCC has a stronger effect on the crystallinity degree than NFC filler. PBS disintegrated under composting conditions in a period of 75 days. The NFC/MCC addition facilitated the specimens’ decomposition rate up to 60 days

We report the manufacturing and characterization of poly (butylene succinate) (PBS) and micro cellulose (MCC) woody-like composites. These composites can be applied as a sustainable woody-like composite alternative to conventional fossil polymer-based wood-plastic composites (WPC). The PBS/MCC composites were prepared by using a melt blending of 70 wt% of MCC processed from bleached softwood. MCC was modified to enhance dispersion and compatibility by way of carbodiimide (CDI), polyhydroxy amides (PHA), alkyl ester (EST), (3-Aminopropyl) trimethoxysilane (APTMS), maleic acid anhydride (MAH), and polymeric diphenylmethane diisocyanate (PMDI). The addition of filler into PBS led to a 4.5-fold improvement of Young’s modulus E for the MCC composite, in comparison to neat PBS. The 1.6-fold increase of E was obtained for CDI modified composition in comparison to the unmodified MCC composite. At room temperature, the storage modulus E′ was found to improve by almost 4-fold for the APTMS composite. The EST composite showed a pronounced enhancement in viscoelasticity properties due to the introduction of flexible long alkyl chains in comparison to other compositions. The glass transition temperature was directly affected by the composition and its value was −15 °C for PBS, −30 °C for EST, and −10 °C for MAH composites. FTIR indicated the generation of strong bonding between the polymer and cellulose components in the composite. Scanning electron microscopy analysis evidenced the agglomeration of the MCC in the PBS/MCC composites. PMDI, APTMS, and CDI composites were characterized by the uniform dispersion of MCC particles and a decrease of polymer crystallinity. MCC chemical modification induced the enhancement of the thermal stability of MCC composites.

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) have generated increasing attention in the past few years as potential sources of innovative bionanomaterials. This study focuses on an alternative method of nanocellulose particle preparation, using ammonium persulfate, and compares this to existing techniques. Nanoparticles were prepared using 4 different methods: thermocatalytic method, TEMPO oxidation, the acid hydrolysis and oxidation with ammonium persulfate. With the ammonium persulfate method, the grinding time of the oxidised cellulose is reduced drastically to only 0.5h, and results in an average nanoparticles size of 404.5 nm, zeta potential of -26.4 and crystallinity degree of 80%. Based on comparison of these parameters to results from existing techniques, oxidising cellulose using ammonium persulfate appears to be a promising alternative.

We have developed a thermocatalytic method for obtaining "ThermoceU" microcrystalline cellulose. We have prepared composites based on various materials (plastics, rubber blends, etc.) with Thermocell as the fdler and have investigated their properties. We have shown that using Thermocell enhances the physicomechanical properties of the materials. We see an increase in density by a factor of 1.5, an increase in tensile strength by a factor of 3, and an increase in bending strength by a factor of 2.5 for polystyrene--Thermocell composites compared with pure polystyrene. We have shown that ThermoceU can be used to enhance the strength of linoleum. The strength of linoleum based on cellulose ethers is increased by 10-15% when 10-30% Thermocell is introduced. The density and strength of pulp sheet materials made from a pulp suspension containing 5-10% Thermocell are increased by 10-30%. This is connected with the fact that the fine Thermocell particles fill the space between the cellulose fibers and promote structural homogeneity and formation of bonds between fibers.Furthermore, replacing expensive materials with Thermocell obtained from waste of the paper and pulp industry leads to a decrease in the cost of the finished products.Many papers are currently available which consider the properties of composites consisting of technical materials such as plastics, rubbers, glazed pottery, porcelain, and microcrystalline cellulose [1, 2]. It has been shown that containing a certain amount of microcrystalline cellulose, depending on the matrix material, enhances the physicomechanical properties of composites.Microcrystalline cellulose is usually obtained by acid or base hydrolysis [3]. This method is lengthy and complicated, consumes large amounts of chemicals and electrical energy, and permits large losses of raw material, i.e., cellulose. Therefore it is not profitable to obtain microcrystalline cellulose by the hydrolysis method for technical purposes.The change in the physicomechanical properties and the degree of polymerization of cellulose materials after heat treatment at relatively low temperatures (I00-180.~ was studied in [4, 5]. We have established that after holding cellulose materials at elevated temperatures, their physicomechanlcal properties deteriorate (especially the breaking number of bends and the tear resistance) and the degree of polymerization decreases. The rate of change in these properties depends on the type of cellulose, the lignin and hemicellulose content, and the presence of degradation catalyst (such as acid) or inhibitor. We also established that at the selected temperatures (up to 180~ degradation occurs only in the amorphous sections, without affecting the crystalline regions.Based on the indicated data, we set ourselves the task of obtaining microcrystalline cellulose by a thermocatalytic route ("Thermocell') for further application in various composites with technical materials. In this case, the properties of the materials are improved. We used sulfite and sulfate wood pulp and newsprin...

Strength-deformation characteristics of low-density polyethylene filled with microcrystalline cel-

The aim of the present study was to improve the paper handsheets parameters by adding biodegradable natural polymer – chitosan. The addition of chitosan in the amount of 2-4% improved tensile strength of the handsheets by up to 20% in dry condition and by up 5 times in wet state. Addition of chitosan increases the hydrophobic properties of paper as it was revealed by contact angle and water penetration dynamic measurements.

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For reinforcing of paper, nanoparticle gels from black alder, birch and pine bark were obtained. Non-extracted bark and that extracted in biorefinery were used. For producing nanoparticles, the materials were destructed using the thermocatalytic destruction method and then dispersed in water medium in a ball mill. At a sufficient concentration, gel-like dispersions were obtained, which contained nanoparticles with the size ~300 nm. The effect of nanoparticle gels on the properties of paper sheets was investigated by introducing the dissolved gels in paper furnish and by covering both sides of paper sheets with nanoparticle gel coatings. It has been established that the nanoparticle fillers increase the tensile and burst strength. The nanoparticle fillers from extracted bark increase the mechanical indices to a higher extent. The coatings from nanoparticle gels considerably improve the Gurley air resistance of paper and increase the mechanical indices of paper sheets, especially burst strength. The effect of nanoparticle gel coatings is dependent on the coating thickness and gel concentration. The coatings decrease the tensile strength in a wet state.