Polycaprolactone nanocomposite reinforced by bioresource starch-based nanoparticles

Biodegradable polymer nanocomposites with bioresource starch-based nanoparticles (SNPs) as reinforcing fillers for polycaprolactone (PCL) were prepared by melt blending. Scanning electron microscopy observation revealed that SNPs as spherical particles were evenly dispersed in the PCL matrix without any aggregation even with the content of SNPs increasing to 10 wt% in the nanocomposite. Consequently, the rheological performances of PCL have been improved efficaciously after incorporation with SNPs as well as mechanical properties, especially with a percolation network structure of SNPs in the PCL matrix formed. In addition, the enzymatic hydrolysis experiments showed a more interesting behavior that the hydrolysis rates had been accelerated apparently in the nanocomposites than that in the neat PCL as observed. Such high performance nanocomposites may have great potential in expanding the utilization of starch from sustainable resources and the practical application of PCL-based biodegradable materials. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.