title: Processing and characterization of nanocomposite based on poly(butylene/triethylene succinate) copolymers and cellulose nanocrystals.
abstract: A new class of biodegradable materials developed by a combination of random eco-friendly copolyesters containing butylene succinate (BS) and triethylene succinate (TES) sequences with cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), is proposed and studied. Polymers and nanocomposite films were prepared by an optimized extrusion process to improve the processability and mechanical response for flexible film manufacturing. Poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) homopolymer and two random copolyesters containing different amounts of TES co-units, P(BS85TES15) and P(BS70TES30), were synthesized by melt polycondensation. The effect of TES and CNC presence and content on the microstructure, tensile properties, thermal characteristics and disintegration under composting conditions, as well as on the toughening mechanism of the blends was investigated. Material properties were modulated by varying the chemical composition. CNC were used as reinforcement additive and their effect is modulated by the interaction with the three polymeric matrices. The extruded films displayed tunable degradation rates, mechanical properties and wettability, and showed promising results for different industrial applications.
authors.affiliation: Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, UdR INSTM, University of Perugia, Strada di Pentima 4, 05100 Terni, Italy.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fortunati
authors.affiliation: Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering Dept. (DICAM), University of Bologna, Via Terracini 28, 40131 Bologna, Italy. Electronic address: matteo.gigli@uniroma2.it.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gigli
authors.affiliation: Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, UdR INSTM, University of Perugia, Strada di Pentima 4, 05100 Terni, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Luzi
authors.affiliation: Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, UdR INSTM, University of Perugia, Strada di Pentima 4, 05100 Terni, Italy.
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dominici
authors.affiliation: Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering Dept. (DICAM), University of Bologna, Via Terracini 28, 40131 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lotti
authors.affiliation: Organic Synthesis and Photoreactivity Institute, CNR, Via Selmi 2, 40126, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gazzano
authors.affiliation: Institute of Food Engineering for Development, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera, s/n. 46022 Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Amalia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cano
authors.affiliation: Institute of Food Engineering for Development, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera, s/n. 46022 Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Amparo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chiralt
authors.affiliation: Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering Dept. (DICAM), University of Bologna, Via Terracini 28, 40131 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Munari
authors.affiliation: Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, UdR INSTM, University of Perugia, Strada di Pentima 4, 05100 Terni, Italy.
authors.forename: Josè Maria
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kenny
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences (DEB), Tuscia University, Viale dell'Università, snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy. Electronic address: ilaria.armentano@unitus.it.
authors.forename: Ilaria
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Armentano
authors.affiliation: Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, UdR INSTM, University of Perugia, Strada di Pentima 4, 05100 Terni, Italy.
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Torre
keywords: Bionanocomposite; Cellulose nanocrystals; Extrusion process; Random copolyesters