Nanocomposites from regenerated cellulose and nanoclay

A new and environmental benign method for preparing cellulose and montmorillonite (MMT) biodegradable nanocomposites via a cellulose regeneration approach using 4-methylmorpholine N-oxide (NMMO) as the solvent was developed. Results showed that for hydrophilic MMT the tensile strength in the cellulose/nanoclay composite increases with increase of clay loading up to similar to 6%, and then decreases. In contrary, the modulus of the nanocomposites increases linearly at the MMT loading range of 1-10%. An interaction force measurement between the cellulose and MMT was conducted. Using Wide Angle X-ray Diffraction (WXRD) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observation, it was found for the first time that the MMT was intercalated and exfoliated in the pure cellulose matrix. The relationship between the degree of intercalation or exfoliation of MMT clays and the modulus of the nanocomposite was studied.