Effect of the Mg/Al ratio and of the rate of reinforcement on the synthesis of a nanocomposite Cellulose/Hydrotalcite

Abstract

The objective of this work is to synthesize a nonmaterial by introducing synthetic clay (hydrotalcite) as a nanofiller in a natural polymer matrix (cellulose) and to study the effect of Mg/Al ratio and the rates of reinforcement.

Cellulose fibers were extracted from ‘Yucca‘ tree’s leaves by a chemical treatment and Hydrotalcite (MgAlCO3) was synthesized by the method of co-precipitation at fixed pH with a ratio of Mg/Al=2 or 3.

The composite materials were elaborated by microwave activation.The Hydrotalcites with an Mg/Al ratio = 2 or 3 were tested as well as various rates of reinforcement (2, 5 or 10% Hydrotalcite) in order to optimize conditions of obtaining a nanomaterial. 

The structures of obtained materials were characterized by IR spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction and Transmission Electron Microscopy. The thermal stability was analyzed by TG-DTA analyses.

The characterizations carried out on these compounds revealed structural modifications in agreement with the formation of a nanomaterial (cellulose/Hydrotalcite) with the improved thermal properties.