Preparation and Characterization of Chitosan/Montmorillonite (MMT) Nanocomposite Systems

A natural based nanocomposite film consisting of chitosan, montmorillonite (MMT) and cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) was synthesized. The nanocomposite was prepared by mixing suspension of clay particles (filler, MMT) with a solution containing chitosan as macroscopic polymer matrix. In this study, it was proposed that non-ionic long chain-alkyl molecules with possible interactions with the amine group of chitosan could be used as plasticizer. As natural source for these compounds, an extract of CNSL was used. A series of chitosan/MMT composite samples containing two different clay contents and sample with an additional CNSL are prepared. FTIR spectroscopy of the nanocomposite films indicated that by addition of CNSL amide groups of the chitosan are probably less attached and have more space for vibration. CNSL seems to provide intermolecular spaces between the chitosan molecules. AFM analysis showed that the composite has particle size of 100 nm and less, which confirmed that nanocomposite has been successfully produced by this method. Addition of CNSL as plasticizer improved the tensile strength by 10 persen and the elastic modulus by almost 18 persen. Cell growth was observed on all the nanocomposite samples studied here. International Journal of Technology, Indonesia, Vol. 1 No. 1. 2010. P: 65-73