“Green” biocomposites based on cellulose diacetate and regenerated cellulose microfibers: Effect of plasticizer content on morphology and mechanical properties

In the present study, a new process route was developed for cellulose diacetate (CDA) based biocomposites by melt processing. The new strategy developed in this work, makes use of two different plasticizers: a primary “external-type” or “non-reactive-type” plasticizer, triacetin (TA), added prior to extrusion to enhance the “processing window” of the polymer and a secondary “internal-type” or “reactive-type”, Glycerin Polyglycidyl Ether (GPE), added during the extrusion step to reduce the amount of potential volatiles or leachable products in the final product and to help in the reduction of viscosity and thus further improving processability. The thermo-mechanical properties and the morphology of biocomposites with Lyocell microfibers, other wood based fillers, which are typically considered as a reference to produce “green” biocomposites from natural resources, have been analyzed.