Nanocellulose/PHBV composites: microfibilated mats by electrospinning

Abstract

The development of composites made from biodegradable and renewable raw materials has been the subject of much research in scientific institutions and industries due to factors such as increased environmental awareness and the need to develop products taking into account sustainability.Strengthening biodegradable matrices with lignocellulosic fibers is one of the viable alternatives to improve the mechanical properties of these matrices without the need for synthetic fibers. But often these fibers do not confer resistance and mechanical properties necessary for many applications of conventional polymers.Thus the use of cellulose fibers at the nanometer scale becomes interesting since these nanofibers have superior properties compared to other fibers both natural and synthetic micrometer. Among these properties can be highlighted their high surface area, good mechanical properties, including Young's modulus and tensile strength and low coefficient of thermal expansion.In this paper, cellulose nanofibers are obtained from the fiber sape grass through chemical treatments such as mercerization, bleaching and acid hydrolysis, followed by ultrasonification that break the cellulose chains through the process of cavitation.The nanofibers obtained by the different processes will be characterized according to their morphological and thermal properties in order to evaluate the effect of the method of obtaining the properties of nanofibers and then will be mixed in a solution of poly (3-hydroxybutyrate) PHB, to obtain nanofrils weaves by electrospinning process.These cellulose whiskers/PHB will be used as reinforcement to the obtaining of composites by hot compression molding.In each step of the process will be used physical, mechanical, thermal and morphological technics to define the processing parameters and properties of obtained materials.