The Effect of Corn Stalk Microcrystalline Cellulose on Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Chitosan Composites

Abstract

The biodegradable composite films were prepared from corn stalk microcrystalline cellulose as filler and chitosan as polymeric matrix. The crystallinity, the tensile properties and the thermal properties of the composites were tested. The results show that the tensile properties and thermal properties were improved with the addition of corn stalk microcrystalline cellulose. When corn stalk microcrystalline cellulose account for 10% of the chitosan quality, the initial decomposition and maximum weight loss rate temperature was raised by 13.19°C and 38.84°C, tensile strength increased by 83.55% and elongation at break increased by 77.38% compared to those of pure chitosan