Biodegradation behaviour of PMMA/cellulose nanocomposites prepared by in-situ polymerization and ex-situ dispersion methods

Micro/nano crystalline (MCC) cellulose particles were prepared from jute fibre by acid hydrolysis route. PMMA/cellulose (MCC) nanocomposites were prepared by in-situ polymerisation technique (IPC) and ex-situ dispersion technique (EPC). Biodegradation studies of IPC and EPC films were performed in a simulated aerobic compost environment for 60 days. IPC showed higher weight loss compared to that of EPC and unreinforced PMMA. The change in the molecular weights of PMMA in the biodegraded samples was determined by Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC). The chemical structures of the biodegraded samples were examined with Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) study which indicated a significant change in the chemical structure of IPC after biodegradation. The surface morphologies of the samples before and after biodegradation were observed with Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The thermal transitions of PMMA in the biodegraded samples were examined with Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC).