No abstract

Montmorillonite (MMT) nanoclay reinforced chitin-cellulose nanocomposite is a biodegradable polymer that has potential as a food packaging material. In this study, it was synthesized using 1 and 5 wt% MMT (1NC and 5NC) via solution casting. Good miscibility of chitin and cellulose was interpreted by the presence of cylindrical particles revealed in the SEM image, and the XRD peak at ∼19° and shoulder at ∼23°. Peaks were also observed at 2.62 and 2.27° for 1NC and 5NC, respectively, that corresponded to 16.87 and 19.47 Å interlayer spacings, both of which were higher than that of pristine MMT which is 12.57 Å. This suggested that chitin-cellulose penetrated MMT and that 5NC had a lower degree of intercalates, which was confirmed by EDX mapping. This better MMT dispersion was speculated to be due to the nematic state of 5NC gel. With molecules sliding off easily in the gel, polymer penetration in the interlayer spacing was easier. This was verified by its lower apparent viscosity. Finally, this better MMT dispersion resulted to a good stress transfer and, maybe, introduced a more torturous crack path for 5NC. These improved its toughness (2.22 J/mm3) and Young’s modulus (6. 25 GPa).