Bionanocomposites processing

Oksman K, Mathew AP, Bondeson D, Kvien I (2006) Manufacturing process of cellulose whiskers/polylactic acid nanocomposites. Compos Sci Technol 66 2776-2784 Oksman K, Mathew AP, Sain M (2009) Novel bionanocomposites processing, poperties and potential applications. Plast Rubber Compos 38 47-61 Okubo K, Fujii T, Thostenson ET (2009) Multi-scale hybrid biocoraposite processing and mechanical characterization of bamboo fibta reinforced PLA with microfibrillated cellulose. Compos Part A-Appl Sci Manufact 40 469-475... 

Biopolymers have diverse roles to play in the advancement of green nanotechnology. Nanosized derivatives of polysaccharides like starch and cellulose can be synthesized in bulk and can be used for the development of bionanocomposites. They can be promising substitutes of environment pollutant carbon black for reinforcement of rubbers even at higher loadings (upto SOphr) via commercially viable process. The combined effect of size reduction and organic modification improves filler-matrix adhesion and in turn the performance of polysaccharides. The study opens up a new and green alternative for reinforcement of rubbers. 

The assembly of biopolymers with inorganic layered solids can lead to bionanocomposites in which the biopolymer becomes intercalated between the layers of the inorganic hosts [3]. The intercalation is a complex process that may simultaneously involve several mechanisms. Thus, in addition to hydrogen bonding, it has been invoked that certain biopolymers interact with the inorganic layers through... 

The demand for better fuel efficiency based on the strict governmental regulations on safety and emission has led to the wide application of composites and plastics in the automotive industry in the place of the traditionally used steels [32]. Thermoplastic materials reinforced with natural fibers have reported to have excellent mechanical properties, recycling properties, etc. [33-36]. Several natural and biorenewable fibers such as wheat, isora, soybean, kenaf, straw, jute, and sisal are used in the fiber/plastic composite industry, and the use of namral fibers as reinforcements for composite has attracted many industries [37, 38]. Compared to polymer resin, polymer biocomposites that are reinforced with natural fibers have many applications due to its ease of processing, comparatively lower cost, and excellent mechanical properties [39]. For more than a decade, European car manufacturers and suppliers have been using natural fiber-based composites with thermoplastic and thermoset matrices. These biocomposites and bionanocomposites... 

Intelligent processing techniques described in the next sections are currently used to produce nanocrystals, also called rod-like nanowhiskers, of polysaccharides that can act as reinforcing fillers in bionanocomposites as well as carriers for therapeutic compounds. The chemical nature of these nanocrystals, along with their rigid, uniform, hierarchical structure, is the reason for their excellent reinforcing properties. 

Some NR-based nanocomposites with bio-based nanoreinforcements like chi-tin whiskers, starch nanocrystals, cellulose whiskers. A lot of work on bionanocomposites of NR has been reported by Alain Dufresne and coworkers.But most of these studies use latex blending technique without vulcanization, for the bionanocomposites preparation. There are less reports available on vulcanized rubber-based bionanocomposites prepared by master batch processing and two-roll mill mixing, which have the potential to be adapted for commercial use. ... 

The nanocomposite materials were also developed from acetylated and hexamethylenediisocyanate (HMDI) modified starch nanoparticles by a commercial milling process. The bionanocomposites showed superior strength... 

Ojijo V, Ray SS (2013) Processing strategies in bionanocomposites. Prog Polym Sci 38 1543-1589... 

A compromise condition between processing technique and regime is reached, where the need for well-dispersed particles needs to be balanced with the need to ensure the structural integrity of the polymer and matrix (i.e., degradation). Clay bionanocomposites are usually prepared by three main processing techniques (Ojijo and Sinha Ray 2013) ... 

Sinha Ray S, Okamoto M (2003) Polymer/layered silicate nanocomposites a review from preparation to processing. Prog Polym Sci 28(11) 1539-1641 Siqueira G, Bras J, Dufresne A (2010) Cellulosic bionanocomposites a review of preparation. 

The polarity of cellulose whiskers makes it difficult to disperse them in nonpolar environments [31]. This behavior makes the processing of cellulose-based bionanocomposites very difficult because several biodegradable polymers are mainly hydrophobic. On the other hand, a higher degree of filler dispersion in the polymer matrix is expected in polar medium. 

Usually, two main techniques are used to prepare cellulose-based bionanocomposites [65], known as solvent casting and melt processing. 

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