Characterization of Nanocomposites Based on Poly(ε-caprolactone) Filled with Recycled Red Mill Scale

Biodegradable poly(ɛ-caprolactone) (PCL), which is used in bioengineering applications thanks to its mechanical and biodegradable properties, it used as a polymer matrix in this study. The nanocomposite of PCL reinforced with recycled red mill scale PCL/RS has been prepared via ultrasonic mixing by solution casting technique at different amounts of RS (1, 5, 10, and 20 wt %), while virgin PCL was also produced for comparison. The structural, thermal, mechanical, and optical behaviors of PCL/RS nanocomposite films have been investigated. Raman spectroscopy shows that small amounts of particles ≤10 wt % may act as nucleation sites for the growth of polymer crystallites; While large amounts of particles will destroy crystallization zones. Blue shifts in spectrum Raman might be caused by the electronic interactions associated with charge transfer between PCL and RS nanoparticles. The XRD results is in good agreement with the Raman results that the crystallinity of esters increases in PCL/RS 10 wt % film. The melting temperature T_m of the nanocomposites is in the order of PCL/RS 1 wt % (71.1°C) > PCL/RS 5 wt % (71°C) > PCL/RS 10 wt % (70.3°C). We note that it has a resemblance in the values established by DRX and DSC, the crystallinity rate increases with the increase in the filler content 45 < 47 < 69 < 74.5. The nanocomposite materials prepared have UV-protective properties. Tensile results increase with an slight increase in RS filler at 5 wt % is 2 MPa, in comparison with PCL/RS 10 wt % (~1 MPa this result yields flexibility of the film and indicates good dispersion of RS in nanocomposite, resulting better interfacial adhesion.