Polypropylene-based Bio-nano Composites Reinforced with Cellulose Nanocrystals and Added with Mono-diacylglycerols as Antistatic Agent

Abstract

This research aims to identify the performance and mechanical characteristics of polypropylene-based antistatic bio-nano composites reinforced with 2% mono-diacylglycerols (M-DAG) and 0, 0.5, 2.5% cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and compared to pure PP. Based on the results of SEM on cross-section, there was an agglomeration of M-DAG and CNC on the PP matrix. XRD diffractogram pattern of antistatic bio-nano composites showed peaks representing the diffraction structure of glycerol monostearate and cellulose I. The FTIR spectrum of each formulation was very similar to the characteristic peaks of PP and showed three distinct peaks compared to pure PP. The melting temperature of antistatic composites without CNC (176.54oC) was higher than pure PP (175.44oC). Thermal stability of antistatic bio-nano composites with 0, 0.5, and 2.5% CNC were 472.07, 470.25, and 475.15 oC, respectively, higher than pure PP (468.27 oC). The best mechanical properties were 2.5% CNC with 11.071 MPa flexural modulus, 30.376 MPa tensile strength, 23.796% tensile elongation, 1.659 J/m2 impact strength, which were higher than pure PP, and it generated antistatic activity of 1010 - 1012 /sq resistivity.

Keywords

• antistatic bio-nano composites
• biopolymers synthesis
• cellulose nanocrystals
• mono-diacylglycerols
• polypropylene