Dispersion study of nanofibrillated cellulose based poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) composites

The production of lower cost bionanocomposites based on nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) is a promising source to develop the next generation of light weight and high performance materials for a variety of defense, infrastructure and energy applications. In this study, a series of bio-nanocomposites were developed by reinforcing NFC from regenerated wood fiber into poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) by injection molding. The incorporation of NFC in PBAT matrix (0.2-1 wt%) increased the storage modulus (G′) and dynamic viscosity (η′) as revealed by shear rheology, indicating a percolation threshold around 0.2-0.5 wt% region. DSC analysis showed similar trends with slight improvement of glass transition (Tg) and crystallization temperature (Tc). Percentage crystallinity, as calculated from heat of fusion equation and taking into account 100% crystallized PBAT data improved in overall. This is a fundamental study aimed at understanding the morphological, rheological and thermal evaluation of such nanocomposites for an improved dispersion of NFC as filler in the matrix.