RESUMO
In this work, nanocomposites of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with cellulose nanofiber (CNF) were prepared by a solution casting technique. CNF was modified by propionic anhydride (PA) to form surface-propionylated CNF (CNFp) to improve its compatibility with the PMMA matrix. CNF, CNFp, and acetylated CNF were compared with respect to their influence as fillers in PMMA composite films by ultraviolet-visible transmittance, haze values, tensile strength testing, and water contact angle measurement. It was demonstrated that 1 wt % of CNFp has good compatibility and uniform dispersion in the PMMA matrix, as demonstrated by the formation of a smooth surface composite film with good transparency, enhanced tensile properties, improved toughness, and lower wettability. Therefore, PMMA/CNFp composite films have great potential for use in several applications such as lightweight transparent materials, window substitutes, and see-through packaging.
RESUMO
In this study, we investigated the effect of the addition of cellulose nanofiber (CNF) fillers on the performance of poly(lactic acid) (PLA). Modification of the hydroxyl group of cellulose to the acyl group by acid anhydrides changed the compatibility of the CNF with PLA. CNF was modified by acetic anhydride, propionic anhydride, and butyric anhydride to form surface-modified acetylated CNF (CNFa), propionylated CNF (CNFp), and butyrylated CNF (CNFb), respectively, to improve the compatibility with the PLA matrix. The effects of the different acid anhydrides were compared based on their rates of reaction in the acylation process. PLA with modified cellulose nanofiber fillers formed smoother surfaces with better transparency, mechanical, and wettability properties compared with the PLA/CNF composite film. The effects of CNFa, CNFp, and CNFb on the PLA matrix were compared, and it was found that CNFp was the best filler for PLA.
