Bio-Composites Reinforced with Strontium Titanate Nanoparticles: Mechanical Behavior and Degradability

Abstract

Bio-polymer-based composites are appealing cost-effective and environmentally friendly materials for electronic applications. This project relates to bio-composites made of chitosan and cellulose and reinforced with strontium titanate nanoparticles. Upon their fabrication, relevant parameters studied were the acetic acid concentration, the cellulose content, and the amount of strontium titanate nanoparticles. The specimens were characterized using thermogravimetric and degradation analyses, as well as via creep and tensile tests. The results revealed how higher cellulose levels lowered the ultimate tensile strength and the degradation temperature of the bio-composites. Moreover, when nanoparticles are present, higher cellulose levels contributed to their tensile strength. Additionally, more acidic solutions became detrimental to the mechanical properties and the thermal degradation temperature of the composites. Furthermore, the creep studies allowed determining elastic coefficients and viscous coefficients using the Burgers’ model. Those creep results suggest that higher amounts of SrTiO3 (STO) nanoparticles raised the composites creep strain rate. As a whole, the study provides a baseline characterization of these novel bio-composites when subject to aggressive environments.