Search

In the present work, we prepare Cellulose Nanofibers Films (CNFs) incorporating silver nanostructures (Ag/AgCl nanocubes) in a ratio of 1–20 wt% to the organic matrix. We found that with the increase of Ag wt%, a raise in crystalline species corresponding to Ag/AgCl was observed. The diffraction pattern in 2Ө = 44.7° planes belonging to Ag (2 0 0) shifts to 2Ө = 45.45° with planes AgCl (2 2 0), due to the increase of Ag. Furthermore, we describe that incrementation in silver concentration aid in fibers gaining a higher arrangement. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images showed cubic structures formed by smaller cubic nanostructures. Electrochemical Impedance tests determined electrical resistance of the films, obtaining values of 551 Ω cm2, 62.6 Ω cm2, 3.78 Ω cm2, 7.9 Ω cm2, and 15.8 Ω cm2 for concentrations of 1 wt%, 5 wt%, 10 wt%, 15 wt%, and 20 wt% respectively; in addition to obtaining the CPE from films, demonstrating that they possess electrical conduction and energy storage capabilities.

Monodispersed silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) were synthesized by chemical reduction in aqueous medium and transferred in chloroform to be redispersed in the plasticized matrix of poly(l-lactic acid) (PLA) by melt compounding. PLA nanocomposites were prepared using a combination of Ag-NPs in amounts of 0.01, 0.025, 0.05, 0.075 and 0.1% in weight, with 10 pph (parts per hundred) of glycerol triacetate (GTA) to be characterized by UV–Vis and Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Optical properties showed that PLA nanocomposites have monodispersed Ag-NPs due to the intense SPR (surface plasmon resonance) absorption band at 414 nm, with a calculated particle size of ~30 nm. The crystallinity is gradually raised at a maximum level (21.1%) compared to the pure PLA (2.3%) and T g drastically decreased from 61 to 36.8 °C when Ag-NPs are incorporated in the plasticized PLA matrix. These results were consistent with the enhanced elastic modulus in DMA analysis, explained from the viewpoint of a good nanofiller dispersion and crystallization behavior, providing a stable and ordered crystal (α-form) in agreement with FTIR and DSC analysis. Finally, the outcomes indicate a synergistic effect between Ag-NPs and the plasticizer GTA, due to the nucleating effect of the monodispersed Ag-NPs and the mobility chain promoted by the plasticizer in the macromolecular arrangement of the PLA.