Effect of the Organobentonite Filler on Structure and Properties of Composites Based on Hydroxyethyl Cellulose

Abstract

Organobentonite powder was synthesized and characterized using laser diffraction, X-ray diffraction, low-temperature nitrogen adsorption-desorption technique, and dynamic light scattering. Obtained powder was found as material with mesopores. The organobentonite particles were larger than pure bentonite one. Hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) was filled with organobentonite particles by mechanical dispersion, and produced composite films were researched by the number of methods. New data relating to structure, tensile properties, and antimicrobial activity of HEC/organobentonite composites were obtained. Using results of Xray diffraction, the reflections assigned to crystal filler in polymer material were proved. Concentration effect of the filling agent on tensile properties of composite film was revealed. Data of infrared (IR) spectrometry indicated a decrease in the density of hydrogen-bond net in HEC/organobentonite composite as compared with pristine HEC. Using microbiological tests, it was found that the HEC/organobentonite films exhibited bacteriostatic action against S. aureus and fungistatic action against molds.

Structure, physicochemical properties, and adsorption performance of the ethyl cellulose/bentonite composite films

“…Bentonite type layered silicate clays, due to their high specific surface area and cation-exchange ability, low cost and non-toxicity are often used as fillers for cellulose ethers during the preparation of polymer composites. The literature provides information on the structure and properties of composites based on polysaccharides modified with silicates (Alekseeva et al 2017a , b , 2019b ; Delhom et al 2010 ; Lavorgna et al 2014 ). Special attention is paid in the publications to the practical application of such composites as biodegradable packaging materials, materials for tissue engineering.…”