Poly(e-caprolactone) are synthetic biodegradable polymers that can potentially be used as biocompatible materials for biological applications. The purpose of this work was to investigate the effect of acetylated cellulose nanocrystals isolated from corncob waste loaded into poly(e-caprolactone) matrix blend on its thermal, mechanical, morphology, and crystallinity. The acetylated cellulose nanocrystal filler with various concentrations (namely 5, 10, 15, and 20%) was mixed with poly(e-caprolactone) matrix prepared using reflux method under N2 gas flow at 120oC for 10 min. Subsequently, the samples was characterized by thermal gravimetric analysis, DSC, tensile, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, tunneling electron microscope, SEM, and XRD to determine the thermal, mechanical, functional group, particle size, morphology, and crystallinity, respectively. Thermal gravimetric analysis and DSC analysis revealed that the thermal stability of poly(e-caprolactone) improved and the degree of crystallinity gradually increased with the addition of 10% acetylated cellulose nanocrystals, hence resulting in a higher Young's modulus. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results demonstrate that acetylated cellulose nanocrystal was successfully incorporated into poly(e-caprolactone) with an additional OH group. In addition, the particle size of 32 nm for acetylated cellulose nanocrystal and the formation of agglomeration was present based on TEM analysis, thus suggesting that acetylated cellulose nanocrystal was compatible as a reinforcing filler in the poly(e-caprolactone) matrix. SEM and XRD analysis suggests that the morphology was relatively smooth and higher crystallinity was achieved. The results of this research demonstrated the good feasibility of poly(e-caprolactone)/acetylated cellulose nanocrystal nanocomposites with improved thermal, mechanical, and physicochemical properties that were successfully prepared using simple and low-cost acetylated cellulose nanocrystal as a filler material.
Characterization of Water and CO2 Adsorption by Stores 3A Desiccant Samples Using Thermal Gravimetric Analysis and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy
