Exploiting poly(ɛ‐caprolactone) and cellulose nanofibrils modified with latex nanoparticles for the development of biodegradable nanocomposites

This study reports the development of nanocomposites based on poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) and cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) modified with cationic latex nanoparticles. The physical adsorption of these water-based latexes on the surface of CNF was studied as an environment-friendly strategy to enhance the compatibility of CNF with a hydrophobic polymeric matrix. The latexes are composed of amphiphilic block copolymers based on cationic poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid) as the hydrophilic block, and either poly(methyl methacrylate) or poly(n-butyl methacrylate) as the hydrophobic block. The simple and practical melt-mixing of PCL- and latex-modified CNF yielded white homogeneous nanocomposites with complete embedment of the nanofibrils in the thermoplastic matrix. All nanocomposites are semicrystalline materials with good mechanical properties (Young's modulus = 43.6-52.3 MPa) and thermal stability up to 335-340 degrees C. Degradation tests clearly showed that the nanocomposites slowly degrade in the presence of lipase-type enzyme. These PCL/CNF-latex nanocomposite materials show great promise as future environmentally friendly packaging materials. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:1342-1353, 2019. (c) 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers