Transparent cellulose/Laponite nanocomposite films

As a biorenewable resource, cellulose is widely used in our life in the form of films and fibers after dissolution-regeneration process. In this paper, cellulose/Laponite nanocomposite films were prepared from microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and Laponite via a solution blending process by using a green solvent, 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ionic liquid, to dissolve MCC effectively and disperse Laponite layers homogeneously. The dispersion of layered Laponite nanoparticles up to 5 wt% in MCC matrix was investigated by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The results showed that the best dispersion was obtained for 1 wt% content of Laponite. The optical properties, tensile strength, and thermal stability of regenerated MCC/Laponite composite films depended on the dispersion of Laponite in MCC matrix. The MCC/Laponite film up to 3 wt% Laponite showed increased tensile strength, elongation at break, and thermal stability, retaining high transmittance above 80 % at 800 nm.