Desenvolvimento e caracterização de compósitos poliméricos poliéster/nanocelulose

Abstract

The search for low-impact, renewable materials is a recent research topic. The need to substitute materials from non-renewable sources is one of the main motivations for such studies in this area. In this context, one of the most promising materials is cellulose, the most abundant biomass on Earth. Cellulose can be obtained from many natural sources, but it is also largely discarded by the paper and wood industry. As such, it is necessary to give these residues a proper destination, and the processing of cellulose waste into nanocellulose is one of the alternatives. The application of nanocellulose in composites is greatly studied, as these materials have many advantages, such as good optical and mechanical properties, weight reduction and recyclability. The present study aims to enable low-cost production of cellulose nanofibers (CNF) from Pinus sp. (CNF-P) and Eucalyptus sp. (CNF-E) cellulose waste, and to evaluate the physical, thermal and dynamic-mechanical properties of polyester resin/nanocellulose composites. Cellulose waste was ground in water (3% wt per volume) in a Masuko MKCA 6-2 grinder at 2,500 rpm until gel was formed. Solvent exchange steps to ethanol 96 °GL were performed, and the gel suspension was dried in a supercritical dryer, using carbon dioxide as supercritical fluid. The obtained nanofibers were dispersed in polyester resin in concentrations of 0.5, 1 and 2 wt%. The samples were prepared by resin casting into rubber silicone molds, and cured in situ at 25 °C for 24 h. Two post-curing steps were performed: 6 h at 80 °C and 2 h at 120 °C. The CNFs were evaluated on their chemical composition and density. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), infrared spectroscopy with Fourier transform (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and and field emission gun scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM) were also performed. Composite samples were evaluated on their density and water absorption. The dynamic mechanical analysis (DMTA) of the composites was performed at different frequencies. Thermal mechanical analysis was used to evaluate the coefficient of thermal expansion of the composites. Low-density (aproximately 0.3 g/cm³) CNFs with a mean diameter of 70-90 nm were succesfully obtained. The chemical composition of the cellulose waste revealed that both have a high initial cellulose content of 72.7 % for unbleached Pinus sp. and 92.6% for bleached Eucalyptus sp. The overall chemical composition of the original cellulose and the obtained CNFs evaluated by FTIR was not changed. CNFs were less thermally stable than the cellulose waste. The crystallinity index of CNFs reduced after grinding. Density of the composites was not altered. Water absorption tests revealed that the CNF-E-1% composite had the lowest values, close to that of the neat resin. The storage modulus obtained by DMTA was the highest for CNF-E-2%. Loss modulus was higher for all composites in comparison with the neat resin, evidencing interactions in the fiber/matrix interface. Glass transition temperature was not significantly altered. The activation energy of the alpha transition was the highest for CNF-E-1%, which may denote better interaction at the fiber/matrix interface. The lowest thermal expansion values were found for CNF-E composites, and the CNF-E-1% composite had a CTE 60% lower than neat resin at 130 °C. Overall, bleached Eucalyptus sp. was found to be a more efficient source of CNFs in this study, yielding the best dynamic mechanical and thermal properties.