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Review
. 2019 Jul 31;11(8):1270.
doi: 10.3390/polym11081270.

Cellulose Nanostructure-Based Biodegradable Nanocomposite Foams: A Brief Overview on the Recent Advancements and Perspectives

Mpho Phillip Motloung  1   2 , Vincent Ojijo  1 , Jayita Bandyopadhyay  1 , Suprakas Sinha Ray  3   4
Affiliations
Review

Cellulose Nanostructure-Based Biodegradable Nanocomposite Foams: A Brief Overview on the Recent Advancements and Perspectives

Mpho Phillip Motloung et al. Polymers (Basel). .

Abstract

The interest in designing new environmentally friendly materials has led to the development of biodegradable foams as a potential substitute to most currently used fossil fuel-derived polymer foams. Despite the possibility of developing biodegradable and environmentally friendly polymer foams, the challenge of foaming biopolymers still persists as they have very low melt strength and viscosity as well as low crystallisation kinetics. Studies have shown that the incorporation of cellulose nanostructure (CN) particles into biopolymers can enhance the foamability of these materials. In addition, the final properties and performance of the foamed products can be improved with the addition of these nanoparticles. They not only aid in foamability but also act as nucleating agents by controlling the morphological properties of the foamed material. Here, we provide a critical and accessible overview of the influence of CN particles on the properties of biodegradable foams; in particular, their rheological, thermal, mechanical, and flammability and thermal insulating properties and biodegradability.

Keywords: biodegradable polymers; cellulose nanoparticles; foaming; nanocomposites; physical properties.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Percentage usage of plastics in various sectors [9].
Figure 2
Figure 2
(a) Publication history on biodegradable polymers; (b) publication history on biodegradable polymer foams from 2008 to 2018 (information obtained from Scopus) (Keywords: biodegradable polymers and biodegradable polymer foams).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Molecular structure of cellulose.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Bubble nucleation and growth as a function of free energy.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of injection molded foams: (a) PCL, (b) 0.5 % CNC, (c) 1 % CNC, (d) 5 % CNC [104]. Reproduced with permission from Springer Nature. Copyright © 2014.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Cell density, cell size, and die pressure at different die temperatures [107]. Reproduced with permission from American Chemical Society (ACS). Copyright © 2014.
Figure 7
Figure 7
SEM images of the cross-section of the foamed composites: (a) PBS/AC (5%); (b) PBS/CNC (3%)/AC (5%); (c) PBS/CNC (5%)/AC (5%); (d) PBS/CNC (10%)/AC (5%) [100]. Reproduced with permission from Springer Nature. Copyright © 2015.
Figure 7
Figure 7
SEM images of the cross-section of the foamed composites: (a) PBS/AC (5%); (b) PBS/CNC (3%)/AC (5%); (c) PBS/CNC (5%)/AC (5%); (d) PBS/CNC (10%)/AC (5%) [100]. Reproduced with permission from Springer Nature. Copyright © 2015.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Measured cell density and average cell size as a function of CNC concentration in PBS/CNC foams [105]. Reproduced with permission from Springer Nature. Copyright © 2015.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Porosity, pore diameter, and pore density of PCL/CNC foams at various CNC concentrations [104]. Reproduced with permission from Springer Nature. Copyright © 2014.
Figure 10
Figure 10
The rheological results of PCL and PCL/CNC nanocomposites: (a) storage modulus and (b) complex viscosity as a function of angular frequency [104]. Reproduced with permission from Springer. Nature. Copyright © 2014.
Figure 11
Figure 11
Effect of CNC concentration on flexural strength and modulus [100]. Reproduced with permission from Springer Nature. Copyright © 2015.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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