Authors: M C Neves C S R Freire B F O Costa C Pascoal Neto T Trindade
Publish Date: 2013/01/05
Volume: 20, Issue: 2, Pages: 861-871
Abstract
Cellulose/iron oxide hybrids were prepared by the controlled hydrolysis of FeC2O4 in the presence of vegetable and bacterial cellulose fibres as substrates By varying the relative amount of FeC2O4 and NaOH either hematite or magnetic iron oxides were grown at the cellulose fibres surfaces This chemical strategy was used for the production of a number of materials whose coloristic properties associated to their reinforcement role allowed their use as new hybrid pigments for thermoplastic starch TPS based products The TPS reinforced materials were characterized by several techniques in order to evaluate the morphology and the compatibility between the matrix and the fillers the mechanical reinforcement effect of the cellulose/iron oxide pigments on TPS and the coloristic properties of the composites All materials showed good dispersion and strong adhesion for the cellulose/iron oxide nanocomposites in the TPS matrix thus resulting in improved mechanical propertiesM C Neves thank FCT for a research grant SFRH/BPD/35046/2007 Microscopy analysis was supported by RNMEPole University of Aveiro FCT Project REDE/1509/RME/2005 This work was also supported from funds from FEDER Programa Operacional Factores de Competitividade COMPETE and from FCT Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia under the project PEstC/FIC/UI0036/2011The authors also thank FCT for funding CICECO PestC/CTM/LA0011/2011
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