Decomposição térmica de celulose de linter mercerizado e seus acetatos obtidos a partir de reação homogênea

Cellulose acetates with different degrees of substitution (DS, from 0.6 to 1.9) were prepared from previously mercerized linter cellulose, in a homogeneous medium, using N,N-dimethylacetamide/lithium chloride as a solvent system. The influence of different degrees of substitution on the properties of cellulose acetates was investigated using thermogravimetric analyses (TGA). Quantitative methods were applied to the thermogravimetric curves in order to determine the apparent activation energy (Ea) related to the thermal decomposition of untreated and mercerized celluloses and cellulose acetates. Ea values were calculated using Broido's method and considering dynamic conditions. Ea values of 158 and 187 kJ mol-1 were obtained for untreated and mercerized cellulose, respectively. A previous study showed that C6OH is the most reactive site for acetylation, probably due to the steric hindrance of C2 and C3. The C6OH takes part in the first step of cellulose decomposition, leading to the formation of levoglucosan and, when it is changed to C6OCOCH3, the results indicate that the mechanism of thermal decomposition changes to one with a lower Ea. A linear correlation between Ea and the DS of the acetates prepared in the present work was identified.Acetatos de celulose com graus de substituição, GS, variando entre 0,6 e 1,9, foram preparados previamente a partir de celulose de linter mercerizado, em meio homogêneo, usando N,N-dimetilacetamida/cloreto de lítio como sistema de solvente. A influência de diferentes graus de substituição nas propriedades dos acetatos de celulose foi investigada usando a análise termogravimétrica (TGA). Métodos quantitativos foram aplicados nas curvas termogravimétricas obtidas a fim de determinar a energia de ativação aparente (Ea) relacionado à decomposição térmica de celulose não-tratada e mercerizada e acetatos de celulose. Valores de Ea foram calculados usando o método de Broido e considerando condições dinâmicas. Valores de Ea de 158 e 187 kJ mol-1 foram obtidos para a celulose não-tratada e mercerizada, respectivamente. Em trabalho anterior verificou-se que o C6OH é o sítio mais reativo na acetilação, provavelmente devido ao impedimento estérico de C2 e C3. O C6OH participa da primeira etapa de decomposição da celulose, levando à formação de levoglucosana e, quando se tem a substituição para C6OCOCH3, o resultado indica que o mecanismo de decomposição térmica muda para um com Ea menor. Uma correlação linear entre Ea e o GS dos acetatos preparados no presente trabalho foi identificada.CNPqFAPES

Biocomposites based on poly(butylene succinate) and curaua: Mechanical and morphological properties

Abstract Biocomposites based on poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and curaua fibers have been produced by compression molding, and investigated as a function of fiber length and amount. Mechanical tests, water uptake and morphology studies were carried out in order to assess the composite features according to the characteristics of the reinforcing agents. It turns out that the impact and flexural strengths increase with fiber content. Moreover, the fiber length, varying from 1 to 4 cm for the composite reinforced with 20 wt% of fiber, influences impact strength, which is higher for shorter than for longer fibers. However, flexural strength is not greatly influenced by the length of the fibers. Water uptake studies reveal a higher sensitivity of the material to fiber content rather than fiber size. Biocomposites, which are characterized by enhanced mechanical properties as compared to PBS, can have different applications, for example in rigid packaging or interior car parts