Bio-composites from spent hen derived lipids grafted on CNC and reinforced with nanoclay

A novel cellulose nanocrystal (CNC)-grafted macromonomer containing both saturated and unsaturated fatty acids was synthesized from spent hen lipids, which was further homopolymerized and copolymerized with styrene and in-situ nano-reinforced into nanocomposites. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of CNC-grafting and nanoclay as filler at different ratios on the thermal, mechanical and water absorption behavior of the developed composites. The chemical grafting on CNC, its polymerization and effect of nanofiller were characterized and investigated by various analytical techniques. The results revealed improved thermal stability for all nanocomposites with higher onset of degradation temperature and more char production for 5% and 10% nanoclay composites, while increased tensile strength was obtained for all nanoclay composites. However, reduced storage modulus and higher moisture uptake was observed for nanocomposites compared to the control polymer composite, which can be attributed to poor interfacial adhesion between nanofiller and matrices, and hydrophilic nature of nanofillers, respectively.