Synthesis, characterization and electrospinning of corn cob cellulose-graft-polyacrylonitrile and their clay nanocomposites

• Cellulose was extracted from crop waste (corn cob).
• Polyacrylonitrile copolymers of gained cellulose were synthesized using ceric ammonium nitrate as initiator in aqueous medium.
• Optimum condition was determined for copolymer synthesis.
• NaMMT nanocomposites of copolymers were synthesized in situ using optimum condition.
• Pristine and nanocomposite copolymers were electrospun.

This study aims at evaluation of cellulose recovered from agricultural waste (corn cob) in terms of synthesis of graft copolymers, polymer/clay nanocomposites, and nanofibers. The copolymers and nanocomposites were synthesized in aqueous solution using Ce4+ initiator. Conditions (concentrations of the components, reaction temperature, and period) were determined first for copolymer synthesis to obtain the highest conversion ratio. Then found parameters were used to synthesize nanocomposites adding clay mineral to reaction medium. Although there was a decrease in conversion in nanocomposites syntheses, thermal and rheologic measurements indicated enhancements compared to pristine copolymer. Obtained polymeric materials have been successfully electrospun into nanofibers and characterized. Average diameter of the nanofibers was about 650 nm and was strongly influenced by NaMMT amount in the nanocomposite sample.