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

Magdi E. Gibril, Kum Kum Ahmed, Prabashni Lekha, Bruce Sithole, Ajit Khosla, Hidemitsu Furukawa

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)143-152
Number of pages10
JournalMicrosystem Technologies
Volume28
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022 Jan

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Hardware and Architecture
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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