Processing and Mechanical Properties of Starch and PCL Composite Reinforced by Nano-SiO₂

Abstract:

The thermoplastic processing and mechanical properties of starch and polycaprolactone (PCL) composites reinforced by nano-silica (nano-SiO₂) were studied. The results showed that the mechanical properties of the starch/PCL blends improved significantly with the increase of PCL. After the addition of nano-SiO₂, the mechanical properties of the starch/PCL blends further improved. When the weight percent of nano-SiO₂ was 1.8%, the mechanical properties of the SiO₂/TPS/PCL composite were most excellent. By comparison with the starch/PCL (50/50) blends, the tensile strength of the SiO₂/TPS/PCL composite with 1.8% SiO₂ was increased by 20% and the elongation increased by 33%. Moreover, it was confirmed by rheological measurements that nano-SiO₂ could interact with the composite materials, which results in the improvement of the mechanical strength of the TPS/PCL composites.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volume 496)
• Pages: 134-137
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.496.134
• Online since: March 2012
• Authors: Wen Yong Liu, Yi Chen, Long Ouyang, Yue Jun Liu, Xi Hai Hao
• Keywords: Biodegradable Polymeric Composite, Nano-SiO₂, Polycaprolactone, Starch

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