Biodegradable Polyethylene-Based Composites Filled with Cellulose Micro- and Nanoparticles

Composite materials filled with cellulose particles (microcrystalline cellulose and nanocellulose) have good prospects for use in various fields. Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and nanocellulose (NC) were isolated by chemical and physical methods and investigated. Composite materials based on polyethylene (PE) were obtained using MCC and NC as fillers (5–20 wt.%) and maleic anhydride grafted low molecular weight polyethylene (MA-g-LMPE) as a compatibilizer. The structure and morphology of the composites and fillers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis (TA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and the strength properties were determined by tensile testing. An increase in the crystallinity index and mechanical strength of composites at low filler contents (up to 5 wt.%) was revealed. The size of the cellulose particles significantly affects the structure and properties of composites. Although the general picture of the effect of fillers on the crystalline structure and mechanical properties is similar, the addition of NC had a greater effect than МСС. The results of this study showed the possibility of using MCC and NC as reinforcement materials in composites, and they have biodegradable properties.