Transparent bionanocomposites with improved properties from poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) and cellulose nanowhiskers (CNWs)

Bionanocomposites of poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) reinforced with cellulose nanowhiskers (CNWs) were prepared through simple solution technique. The obtained PPC/CNW films containing CNWs in the range of 1-10 wt% were highly transparent in the visible region. The morphology, mechanical properties, and thermal properties of the nanocomposites were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), static and dynamic mechanical measurements, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results showed that CNWs were uniformly dispersed in PPC matrix and the incorporation of CNWs significantly increased the tensile strength and storage modulus of PPC. More interestingly, the elongation at break of PPC/CNW nanocomposite films remained as high as above 900%. In addition, CNWs also increased the thermal stability and vicat softening temperature (VST) of PPC. This work provides a good example for preparation of biopolymer nanocomposites with improved properties by the incorporation of CNWs.