Biodegradability and property characterizations of Methyl Cellulose : Effect of nanocompositing and chemical crosslinking

Abstract Broader range of biodegradability and other essential properties of Methyl Cellulose (MC) were achieved through nanocomposite formation and chemical crosslinking. Methyl Cellulose/Montmorillonite (MC/MMT) nanocomposites as well as MC-glutaraldehyde crosslinked films were characterized for thermal properties, tensile properties, moisture absorption, and biodegradability. MC/MMT nanocomposite films prepared by MMT suspension exhibited exfoliation which was confirmed by XRD and TEM results. In the chemical crosslinked system, the FTIR spectra revealed the crosslinkage between MC and GA. The tensile properties of the crosslinked films indicated that optimum GA content was 4.5 wt%. In addition, MC prepared from each method was capable of enhancing different properties. The MC/MMT nanocomposites could significantly improve tensile modulus (nanocompositing: 65%; crosslinking: 45%), while MC crosslinked film could outstandingly increase glass transition temperature (nanocompositing: 4 °C; crosslinking: 17 °C) and decrease moisture absorption properties (nanocompositing: 19%; crosslinking: 26%). The crosslinkage technique had more potential to hinder the biodegradation process. In 6 weeks, the CO2 emission of crosslinked films was reduced around 80% in comparison with that of pure MC.

[1]  K. Strawhecker,et al.  Structure and Properties of Poly(vinyl alcohol)/Na+ Montmorillonite Nanocomposites , 2000 .

[2]  T. Aminabhavi,et al.  A Review on Biodegradable Plastics , 1990 .

[3]  Eduardo Ruiz-Hitzky,et al.  Biopolymer−Clay Nanocomposites Based on Chitosan Intercalated in Montmorillonite , 2003 .

[4]  Xiu-li Wang,et al.  Crystallization and morphology of a novel biodegradable polymer system: poly(1,4-dioxan-2-one)/starch blends , 2004 .

[5]  M. Misra,et al.  Effect of Compatibilizer on Nanostructure of the Biodegradable Cellulose Acetate/Organoclay Nanocomposites , 2004 .

[6]  E. Ruckenstein,et al.  Viscoelastic properties of plasticized methylcellulose and chemically crosslinked methylcellulose , 2001 .

[7]  Tianxi Liu,et al.  Nanoindentation and morphological studies on nylon 66 nanocomposites. I. Effect of clay loading , 2004 .

[8]  Shufang Wang,et al.  Characteristics and biodegradation properties of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)/organophilic montmorillonite (PHBV/OMMT) nanocomposite , 2005 .

[9]  C. Ha,et al.  Microstructure, tensile properties, and biodegradability of aliphatic polyester/clay nanocomposites , 2002 .

[10]  Joseph Kuruvilla,et al.  Mechanical properties of titanium dioxide-filled polystyrene microcomposites , 2004 .

[11]  V. Soldi,et al.  Blends of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and poly(1-vinylpyrrolidone-co-vinyl acetate) : Miscibility and thermal stability , 2005 .

[12]  Luo Wei,et al.  Synthesis and properties of a novel hydrogel nanocomposites , 2005 .

[13]  M. Bousmina,et al.  Biodegradable polymers and their layered silicate nanocomposites: In greening the 21st century materials world , 2005 .

[14]  H. Sung,et al.  Synthesis and characterization of biodegradable TPP/genipin co-crosslinked chitosan gel beads , 2003 .

[15]  R. Schalek,et al.  Biodegradable nanocomposites from cellulose acetate: Mechanical, morphological, and thermal properties , 2006 .

[16]  Jöns Hilborn,et al.  Poly(lactic acid) fiber : An overview , 2007 .

[17]  Xiaohu Xia,et al.  Swelling and mechanical behavior of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)/Na-montmorillonite layered silicates composite gels , 2003 .

[18]  M. Errico,et al.  Biodegradable starch/clay nanocomposite films for food packaging applications , 2005 .

[19]  Xiaofei Ma,et al.  Study on the properties of ethylenebisformamide plasticized corn starch (EPTPS) with various original water contents of corn starch , 2007 .

[20]  Yunfa Chen,et al.  Nanocomposites of cross-linking polyanhydrides and hydroxyapatite needles: mechanical and degradable properties , 2004 .

[21]  D. Aht-Ong,et al.  Preparation of cassava starch/montmorillonite composite film , 2007 .

[22]  C. Biliaderis,et al.  Physical properties of starch nanocrystal-reinforced pullulan films , 2007 .

[23]  V. Coma,et al.  Film properties from crosslinking of cellulosic derivatives with a polyfunctional carboxylic acid , 2003 .

[24]  Y. Koyama,et al.  Studies on chitin. IX. Crosslinking of water‐soluble chitin and evaluation of the products as adsorbents for cupric ion , 1986 .

[25]  Suprakas Sinha Ray,et al.  POLYMER/LAYERED SILICATE NANOCOMPOSITES: A REVIEW FROM PREPARATION TO PROCESSING , 2003 .

[26]  C. Hui,et al.  An interface model for the prediction of Young's modulus of layered silicate‐elastomer nanocomposites , 1998 .

[27]  I. Zuburtikudis,et al.  Nanostructure vs. microstructure: Morphological and thermomechanical characterization of poly(l-lactic acid)/layered silicate hybrids , 2007 .

[28]  L. Nicolais,et al.  Crosslinking of cellulose derivatives and hyaluronic acid with water-soluble carbodiimide , 2005 .

[29]  Eli Ruckenstein,et al.  Thermal and dynamic mechanical analysis of PVA/MC blend hydrogels , 2001 .

[30]  N. Nagasawa,et al.  Radiation crosslinking of methylcellulose and hydroxyethylcellulose in concentrated aqueous solutions , 2003 .

[31]  D. Pochan,et al.  Poly (l-Lactic Acid)/Layered Silicate Nanocomposite: Fabrication, Characterization, and Properties , 2003 .

[32]  Andrea Sorrentino,et al.  Biodegradable nanocomposites obtained by ball milling of pectin and montmorillonites , 2006 .