Preparation and characterization of cellulose acetate/polysiloxane composites

Composites of cellulose acetate and polysiloxane were prepared using 3-isocyanatepropyltriethoxysilane, as a coupling agent. The structure, the thermal and dynamic-mechanical behaviors, and the morphology of the obtained composites were investigated. The composites showed phase separation which was confirmed by the presence of siloxane micro- and nano-domains dispersed in the cellulose acetate matrix, with good interfacial adhesion between the phases. The results demonstrated that the incorporation of a polysiloxane phase on a cellulose acetate matrix caused a decrease in the glass transition temperature, storage modulus and hardness. The proposed methodology was seen to be convenient for the preparation of cellulose acetate/polysiloxane composites with useful properties. (AU)