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Abstract

Bio-based plastics are composed by a biopolymer matrix, a plasticizer and some additives to improve the processability or properties of the final product, like nanoclay which is used to increase the water uptake of these biomaterials. For that reason, the overall objective of this work is to clarify the influence of nanoclay content (montmorillonite) in the mechanical and physicochemical properties of bio-nanocomposites obtained from soy protein. These materials were prepared by means of two different processes: an injection moulding process and an extrusion process, using in both cases soy protein (SPI) and natural montmorillonite (MMT-Na+), being the nanoclay concentration and the processing conditions critical parameters to take into account. Thus, several systems were obtained and evaluated, containing from 0 to 9 wt. % of MMT. Bioplastics� mechanical characterization is performed by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) using a RSA3 rheometer and tensile tests by an electromechanical testing system. X-rays diffraction, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and SEM were assessed to analyze the nanoclay incorporation into the material, as well as their structure. Moreover, water uptake capacity is an interesting barrel property which has also been evaluated. An increase in nanoclay content tends to create laminar structure, being this change in structure involved in remarkable changes in mechanical properties as well as in water uptake capacity (the presence of nanoparticles in the protein matrix can improve water uptake).

Biography

Email: alromero@us.es