title: Transparent nanostructured cellulose acetate films based on the self assembly of PEO-b-PPO-b-PEO block copolymer.
abstract: In this study fabrication and characterization of transparent nanostructured composite films based on cellulose triacetate (CTA) and poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(propylene oxide)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (EPE) triblock copolymer were presented. The effect of the addition of EPE triblock copolymer on the thermal stability, morphology, and mechanical properties of cellulose triacetate films was investigated. The triblock EPE was chosen since PEO blocks interact favorably with CTA, whereas, PPO blocks remain immiscible which provokes a microphase separation. This allows to obtain EPE/CTA composite films with ordered microphase-separated structures where PPO spherical microdomains are well-dispersed in PEO/CTA matrix by simple solvent-evaporation process. During this process, PEO block chains selectively interact with CTA by strong interpolymer hydrogen-bonding while PPO block microseparated. The addition even 40wt% of EPE leads to nanostructured EPE/CTA composite. The cytotoxicity assay of CTA and EPE/CTA composite films confirm non-toxic character of designed transparent nanostructured composites based on sustainable matrices.
authors.affiliation: 'Materials + Technologies' Group (GMT), Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Gipuzkoa, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Plaza Europa 1, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain; Faculty of Engineering Vitoria-Gasteiz, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), C/Nieves Cano, 12 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain. Electronic address: juncal.gutierrez@ehu.eus.
authors.forename: Junkal
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gutierrez
authors.affiliation: 'Materials + Technologies' Group (GMT), Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Gipuzkoa, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Plaza Europa 1, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain.
authors.forename: Sheyla
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Carrasco-Hernandez
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Photonic Materials, Institute of Chemistry, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, 14800-901 Sao Paolo, Brazil; Medicinal Chemistry and Regenerative Medicine (QUIMMERA), University Center of Araraquara (UNIARA), Araraquara, 14801-340 Sao Paolo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Hernane S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Barud
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Photonic Materials, Institute of Chemistry, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, 14800-901 Sao Paolo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rafael L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Medicinal Chemistry and Regenerative Medicine (QUIMMERA), University Center of Araraquara (UNIARA), Araraquara, 14801-340 Sao Paolo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Renata A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.affiliation: Medicinal Chemistry and Regenerative Medicine (QUIMMERA), University Center of Araraquara (UNIARA), Araraquara, 14801-340 Sao Paolo, Brazil.
authors.forename: André C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Amaral
authors.affiliation: 'Materials + Technologies' Group (GMT), Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Gipuzkoa, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Plaza Europa 1, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain. Electronic address: agnieszka.tercjaks@ehu.eus.
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tercjak
keywords: AFM; Block copolymer; Cellulose acetate; Composite films; Poly(ethylene oxide-b-propylene oxide-b-ethylene oxide); Self-assembly