Synthesis and characterization of new CaCO3/cellulose nanocomposites prepared by controlled hydrolysis of dimethylcarbonate

CaCO3/cellulose nanocomposite materials were prepared by the controlled reaction of CaCl2 with dimethylcarbonate ((CH3)2CO3) in alkaline medium in the presence of cellulose fibers. The effect of several reaction parameters, such as reaction time, temperature, fiber mass fraction and extent of cellulose modification (carboxymethylation), on the final properties of the nanocomposites was investigated by ICP-AES, FT-IR, XRD, SEM, TGA, ToF-SIMS and XPS. The results showed that the hydrolysis conditions strongly influenced the quantity and morphology of CaCO3 particles deposited at the surface of cellulosic fibers. Under specific experimental conditions, the substrate promoted the selective control growth of CaCO3 at the surface of the fibers. The use of these CaCO3/cellulose nanocomposites as reinforcing materials in polyethylene (PE) based composites was also tested. Preliminary DMA studies showed a much higher mechanical performance for the composites with the CaCO3/cellulose fibers nanocomposites as compared to cellulose fibers.