Production of zein, chitosan, nanocellulose Nanocomposite, dynamic analysis and glass transition temperature

The vast accumulation of materials and synthetic polymers, which can remain as contaminants in the environment and cannot be decomposed for a long time, is one of the problems in the plastic industry. The present study shows how synthetic polymers are replaced by natural ones through semi-industrial production method. Firstly, a masterbatch was prepared by mixing zein, nanocellulose and chitosan in a ratio of 3: 2: 5. A solution of chitosan and zein was prepared. Then nanocellulose was added to the suspension and the ternary mixture and composite was prepared. Then the masterbatch was dried and grinded and films were prepared by adding zein matrix in 1, 3 and 5 percent nanocellulose to 1.5 and 4.5 and 7.5 percent of chitosan by extruding and pressing. Storage and loss modulus and loss factor of the treatments were studied out by (assessing) Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) / Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis (DMTA). It was observed that thermal properties was improved by increasing nanocellulose and chitosan to 3 and 4.5 percent, respectively. The glass transition temperature in this treatment was 88.3 °C. It was higher, in comparison with 5 and 1 percent nanocellulose and pure zein treatments, which were 85.6, 79.01 and 64.9, respectively. The peak of loss factor or the glass transition temperature of composites depends on the distribution of nanocellulose and better interaction of nanocellulose and chitosan and zein matrix. The glass transition temperature decreased in more and less than 3 percent nanocellulose that shows its lower thermal properties.