Polymer nano-biocomposite based on poly (ethylene-co-methyl acrylate) (EMA)/cellulose nanocrystals (CNC); preparation and properties

Abstract In addition to being bio-degradable, cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) provide high mechanical strength to polymer composites. They exhibit outstanding properties like high strength-to-weight ratio, abundant surface functional groups and sustainability. In this study, we prepared nanocomposites of poly (ethylene-co-methyl acrylate) (EMA) and CNC using the melt-mixing technique. The mechanical properties of EMA were improved after adding CNC to it. The ultimate tensile stress and maximum elongation increased from 6 MPa and 860% (for pristine EMA) to 9.5 MPa and 1090% (for 2 wt.% EMA/CNC composite). Thermal properties of the EMA/CNC composites were analyzed by using DSC and TGA analysis. The dispersion of CNC in the composite was analyzed by SEM and XRD analyses. The EMA/CNC composites showed interesting birefringence properties on analysis via polarized optical microscopy (POM). The POM analysis indicated that the CNC in composites aligns themselves in the direction of applied stress, enhancing the mechanical strength of nanocomposites. Biodegradation of the bio-composite was also studied via soil-burial test. Graphical Abstract