Synthesis and characterization of iron oxide/cellulose nanocomposite film

Iron oxide/cellulose high-performance nanocomposite film is successfully prepared by impregnation of iron oxide nanoparticles into a regenerated cellulose film. The structure, thermal stability and mechanical properties of the nanocomposite films are investigated by the wide-angle X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and mechanical pull test. The investigation results reveal that the iron oxide is bound to hydroxyl groups of the regenerated cellulose film by hydrogen bonding. Compared with the regenerated cellulose, the tensile strength and elastic modulus of iron oxide/cellulose high-performance films are significantly improved by about 39% and 57%, respectively.