title: Improving the physical properties of starch using a new kind of water dispersible nano-hybrid reinforcement.
abstract: Plasticized cassava starch matrix composites reinforced by a multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-hercynite (FeAl2O4) nanomaterial were developed. The hybrid nanomaterial consists of FeAl2O4 nanoparticles anchored strongly to the surface of the MWCNT. This nano-hybrid filler shows an irregular geometry, which provides a strong mechanical interlocking with the matrix, and excellent stability in water, ensuring a good dispersion in the starch matrix. The composite containing 0.04wt.% of the nano-hybrid filler displays increments of 370% in the Young's modulus, 138% in tensile strength and 350% in tensile toughness and a 70% decrease in water vapor permeability relative to the matrix material. All of these significant improvements are explained in terms of the nano-hybrid filler homogenous dispersion and its high affinity with both plasticizers, glycerol and water, which induces crystallization without deterioration of the tensile toughness.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Química Inorgánica, Medio Ambiente y Energía (INQUIMAE), CONICET - UBA , Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EHA, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Laboratorio de Polímeros y Materiales Compuestos, Departamento de Física, FCEyN, UBA - IFIBA - CONICET, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EHA, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Noé J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Morales
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Química Inorgánica, Medio Ambiente y Energía (INQUIMAE), CONICET - UBA , Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EHA, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental, Universidad Nacional de San Martín, Campus Miguelete, 25 de Mayo y Francia, 1650 San Martín, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Candal
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Polímeros y Materiales Compuestos, Departamento de Física, FCEyN, UBA - IFIBA - CONICET, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EHA, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Lucía
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Famá
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Polímeros y Materiales Compuestos, Departamento de Física, FCEyN, UBA - IFIBA - CONICET, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EHA, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Goyanes
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Polímeros y Materiales Compuestos, Departamento de Física, FCEyN, UBA - IFIBA - CONICET, Ciudad Universitaria, C1428EHA, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Gerencia Materiales, Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica, Avda Gral Paz 1499, B1650KNA, San Martín, Argentina. Electronic address: rubiolo@cnea.gov.ar.
authors.forename: Gerardo H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Rubiolo
keywords: Carbon nanotubes; Cassava starch; Hybrid nanomaterial; Polymer nanocomposite