Impact of some mineral-based nanoparticles versus carbon nanoallotropes on properties of liquid crystal hydroxypropyl cellulose nanocomposite films

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to motivate the application of some low-cost minerals in synthesizing nanoparticles as effective additives on the performance of liquid crystal (LC) hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) nanocomposite film, in comparison with carbon nanoallotrope. Design/methodology/approach Metallic nanoparticles of vanadium oxide, montmorillonite (MMT) and bentonite were synthesized and characterized by different techniques (Transmission electron microscopy [TEM], X-ray diffraction [XRD] and Fourier transform infrared [FTIR]). While the XRD, FTIR, non-isothermal analysis thermogravimetric analysis, mechanical analysis, scanning electron microscope and polarizing microscope were techniques used to evaluate the key role of metallic nanoparticles on the performance of HPC-nanocomposite film. Findings The formation of nanoparticles was evidenced from TEM. The XRD and FTIR measurements of nanocomposite films revealed that incorporating the mineral nanoparticles led to enhance the HPCs crystallinity from 14% to 45%, without chemical change of HPC structure. It is interesting to note that these minerals provide higher improvement in crystallinity than carbon nanomaterials (28%). Moreover, the MMT provided film with superior thermal stability and mechanical properties than pure HPC and HPC containing carbon nanoparticles, where it increased the Ea from 583.6 kJ/mol to 669.3 kJ/mol, tensile strength from 2.25 MPa to 2.8 MPa, Young’s modulus from 119 MPa to 124 MPa. As well as it had a synergistic effect on the LC formation and the birefringence texture of the nanocomposites (chiral nematic). Research limitations/implications Hydroxylpropyl cellulose-nanocomposite films were prepared by dissolving the HPC powder in water to prepare 50% concentration, (free or with incorporating 5% synthesized nanoparticles). To obtain films with uniform thickness, the prepared solutions were evenly spread on a glass plate via an applicator, by adjusting the thickness to 0.2 mm, then air dried. Practical implications These minerals provide higher improvement in crystallinity than carbon nanomaterials (28%), moreover, the MMT and bentonite provided films with superior thermal stability than pure HPC and HPC containing carbon nanoparticles. The mineral nanoparticles (especially MMT nanoclays) had a synergistic effect on LC formation and the birefringence texture of the nanocomposites (chiral nematic). Social implications This study presents the route to enhance the utilization of claystone available in El-Fayoum Province as the precursor for nanoparticles and production high performance LC nanocomposites. Originality/value This study presents the route for the valorization of low-cost mineral-based nanoparticles in enhancing the properties of HPC-film (crystallinity, thermal stability, mechanical strength), in comparison with carbon-based nanoparticles. Moreover, these nanoparticles provided more ordered mesophases and, consequently, good synergetic effect on LCs formation and the birefringence texture of the HPC-films.

Selective route for enhancing liquid crystal-based hydroxylpropyl cellulose by esterification

“…Based on thanks to unique properties of graphene oxide (GO) such as strong mechanical properties, optical properties, chemical functionalization capability and extremely large surface area which discussed in the literature (Kim et al , 2011; Basta et al, 2021a, 2021b, 2021c, 2021d, 2021e), this promising finding persuades us for further examining the role of incorporating GO on liquid crystal property of esterified hydroxypropyl cellulose (EHPC18). Figure 10 showed that incorporation of GO hasn't any effect on critical concentration, consequently on optical properties of EHPC18.…”

“…The functionalized paper, carbon nanostructures materials, semiconductor, water purification adsorbent, liquid crystal materials and the formaldehyde-free adhesive are literature applications for the cellulose-based products (Hosny et al , 1997; Vimala et al , 2009; Thakur et al , 2013; El-Saied et al , 2016; Canejo et al , 2017; Lotfy et al , 2018; Ravichandran et al , 2018; Basta et al , 2011, 2013, 2014, 2019; Ates et al , 2020). Additionally, there are medical and agriculture applications for the cellulose and its derivatives which are produced in form of hydrogel formulation (Lotfy and Basta, 2020; Lotfy et al , 2020; Hanna et al , 2020; Khalf-Alla et al , 2020; Basta et al , 2020, 2021a, 2021b, 2021c, 2021d, 2021e; Basta and Lotfy, 2021).…”

“…According to optical properties, HPC was the first cellulosic derivative reported to form spontaneous anisotropic solutions when dissolved in aqueous and organic solvents. Interestingly, HPC is readily capable of forming a cholesteric type of liquid-crystalline phase (LC) both in a variety of common solvents such as acetic acid, N , N dimethylacetamide, water and dichloroacetic acid as lyotropic and in melts thermotropic (Werbowyj and Gray, 1976; Bheda et al , 1980; Chiba et al , 2006; Zhang et al , 2013; Basta et al , 2021a, 2021b, 2021c, 2021d, 2021e). In general, the chirality of cellulose chains could be considered playing an important role in inducing the formation of cholesteric LC phases.…”

“…The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at: https://www.emerald.com/insight/0369-9420.htm applications for the cellulose and its derivatives which are produced in form of hydrogel formulation Hanna et al, 2020;Khalf-Alla et al, 2020;Basta et al, , 2021aBasta et al, , 2021bBasta et al, , 2021cBasta et al, , 2021dBasta and Lotfy, 2021).…”