Effect of sequential mixing and compounding conditions on cellulose acetate/layered silicate nanocomposites

Injection molded nanocomposites have been successfully fabricated from cellulose acetate (CA), eco-friendly triethyl citrate (TEC) plasticizer, and organically modified clay with and without maleic anhydride grafted cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB-g-MA) as a compatibilizer. The effects of processing conditions such as mixing methods, pre-plasticizing times, extruder retention times (RT) and addition of compatibilizer on the performance of these nanocomposites have been evaluated. The cellulosic plastic with CA/TEC (80/20 wt%) was used as the polymer matrix for nanocomposite fabrication. The morphologies of these nanocomposites were evaluated through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies. The mechanical properties of the nanocomposites were measured and have been correlated with the XRD and TEM observations. From all of the sequential mixing methods used, powder-powder mixing leads to the most transparent nanocomposites. Cellulosic plastic-based nanocomposites obtained using increased pre-plasticizing times and RT showed better exfoliated structures. In the system containing compatibilizer, the minimum retention time required for obtaining almost completely exfoliated hybrid nanocomposites was shorter than in the system without compatibilizer.