What is it about?
Conventionally, the composites are made by incorporating natural fibers during the processing of the resin in the case of thermoplastics and during polymerization/ curing in the case of thermosets. The present study is aimed to prepare hybrid materials by incorporating layered silicates and microcrystalline cellulose into thermoplastic polymer.
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Why is it important?
Using ethylene–propylene (EP) copolymer as thermoplastic polymer matrix and maleated EP (MEP) copolymer as compatibilizer, three types of composites were prepared by (i) melt mixing of cellulose with thermoplastics [I], (ii) melt mixing of clay with thermoplastics [II], and (iii) melt mixing of cellulose with the thermoplastic clay nanocomposites [III]. They were characterized by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.
Perspectives
The incorporation of layered silicates reduced the water absorption of cellulose composites.
Dr Pratheep K Annamalai
University of Queensland
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Novel hybrid of clay, cellulose, and thermoplastics. I. Preparation and characterization of composites of ethylene–propylene copolymer, Journal of Applied Polymer Science, January 2007, Wiley,
DOI: 10.1002/app.25659.
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