Caracterización de la dinámica molecular de materiales compuestos basados en carragenina y Cloisite Na+

Abstract

Nowadays, there is a great interest in the development of biomass-based on polymers and innovative process technologies that can reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The interest arises from the extensive use of plastic packaging and the enormous environmental problem caused by the disposal of non-biodegradable polymers at the end of their useful life. The ideal packaging materials are obtained from natural resources, biopolymers. These are considered as a possible substitute for packaging applications because it is environmentally friendly. However, although they appear to be the ideal alternative, they also have some disadvantages, such as their poor mechanical properties, their high hydrophilic properties and their low processability. Recently, a new class of materials, the bio-nanocomposites, has been discovered. These are hybrid materials which are composed of a biopolymer matrix reinforced with nanoparticles. In this sense, several composites have been developed with the purpose of improving their thermal, mechanical and barrier properties. The main problem with these reinforced materials is that most of them have poor interface interactions (matrix-reinforcement). In this Final Master's Work (TFM) the behaviour study of the molecular dynamics of composites of carrageenan and Cloisite Na+ is collected. Several experimental techniques have been used for this study (Chapter 4). The analysis of the behaviour of the molecular dynamics of the samples was carried out by Dielectric Relaxation Spectroscopy (DRS) (Chapter 4.2). On the other hand, a study of the morphology of the different samples with Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) was also carried out (Chapter 4.1). In Chapter 5, the experimental results are presented and analysed in the form of graphs, tables and images in order to perform a comparative analysis of the data obtained in each of the characterization techniques used. Finally, Chapter 6 presents the final conclusions that have been obtained in this TFM.