title: Nanocelluloses from jute fibers and their nanocomposites with natural rubber: Preparation and characterization.
abstract: Nanocellulose fibers having an average diameter of 50nm were isolated from raw jute fibers by steam explosion process. The isolation of nanocellulose from jute fibers by this extraction process is proved by SEM, XRD, FTIR, birefringence and TEM characterizations. This nanocellulose was used as the reinforcing agent in natural rubber (NR) latex along with crosslinking agents to prepare crosslinked nanocomposite films. The effects of nanocellulose loading on the morphology and mechanics of the nanocomposites have been carefully analyzed. Significant improvements in the Young's modulus and tensile strength of the nanocomposite were observed because of the reinforcing ability of the nanocellulose in the rubber matrix. A mechanism is suggested for the formation of the Zn-cellulose complex. The three-dimensional network of cellulose nanofibers (cellulose/cellulose network and Zn/cellulose network) in the NR matrix plays a major role in improving the properties of the crosslinked nanocomposites.
authors: Department of Polymer Science and Rubber Technology, CUSAT, Kerala, India.
authors: Martin George
authors: MG
authors: Thomas
authors: Research Department of Chemistry, CMS College, Kottayam 690 110, Kerala, India; R.H. Smith Institute of Plant Sciences and Genetics, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 76100, Israel.
authors: Eldho
authors: E
authors: Abraham
authors: Department of Polymer Science and Rubber Technology, CUSAT, Kerala, India.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Jyotishkumar
authors: International and Inter University Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam 686 560, Kerala, India.
authors: Hanna J
authors: HJ
authors: Maria
authors: Research Department of Chemistry, CMS College, Kottayam 690 110, Kerala, India. Electronic address: lapothan@gmail.com.
authors: Laly A
authors: LA
authors: Pothen
authors: International and Inter University Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam 686 560, Kerala, India; School of Chemical Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam 686 560, Kerala, India. Electronic address: sabuchathukulam@yahoo.co.uk.
authors: Sabu
authors: S
authors: Thomas
mesh_terms: D002482:Cellulose / Q000737:chemistry*; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012408:Rubber / Q000737:chemistry*; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013718:Tensile Strength; D013818:Thermogravimetry; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D002482:Cellulose; D012408:Rubber
keywords: Bionanocomposites; Fiber/matrix bond; Nanocellulose; Natural rubber; Zn/cellulose complex