Effect of nanocrystalline cellulose and zinc oxide hybrid organic-inorganic nanofiller on the physical properties of polycaprolactone nanocomposite films

New biobased polycaprolactone (PCL) nanocomposite materials were prepared using cellulose-zinc oxide (NCC-ZnO) as an organic-inorganic nanofiller which was prepared by loading zinc oxide (ZnO) onto the surface of nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC). Various loadings (2-8 wt%) of nanofiller were added onto the PCL matrix to prepare PCL/NCC-ZnO nanocomposite films using the solvent cast method. The nanofiller and nanocomposite films were characterised by AFM, TEM, FTIR, FE-SEM, XRD, DSC, TGA and tensile strength. The results of AFM, TEM and FTIR analysis confirmed the interaction between NCC and ZnO nanoparticles and between nanofiller (NCC-ZnO) and PCL. The mechanical properties of the PCL polymer significantly improved due to incorporation of the nanofiller, especially, when increasing the amount of nanofiller beyond 4 wt%. FE-SEM analysis showed homogenous dispersion of nanofiller within the PCL matrix, and illustrated a rough porous surface. Both TGA and DSC results indicated that the thermal stability of PCL increased due to the incorporation of nanofillers.

Automated summary

This study prepared new biobased polycaprolactone (PCL) nanocomposite materials using cellulose-zinc oxide (NCC-ZnO) as an organic-inorganic nanofiller. The results showed that the incorporation of nanofiller significantly improved the mechanical properties and thermal stability of PCL.