Effect of nanocrystalline cellulose and zinc oxide hybrid organic–inorganic nanofiller on the physical properties of polycaprolactone nanocomposite films

New biobased polycaprolactone (PCL) nanocomposite materials were prepared using cellulose-zinc oxide (NCC-ZnO) as an organic–inorganic nanofiller which was prepared by loading zinc oxide (ZnO) onto the surface of nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC). Various loadings (2–8 wt%) of nanofiller were added onto the PCL matrix to prepare PCL/NCC-ZnO nanocomposite films using the solvent cast method. The nanofiller and nanocomposite films were characterised by AFM, TEM, FTIR, FE-SEM, XRD, DSC, TGA and tensile strength. The results of AFM, TEM and FTIR analysis confirmed the interaction between NCC and ZnO nanoparticles and between nanofiller (NCC-ZnO) and PCL. The mechanical properties of the PCL polymer significantly improved due to incorporation of the nanofiller, especially, when increasing the amount of nanofiller beyond 4 wt%. FE-SEM analysis showed homogenous dispersion of nanofiller within the PCL matrix, and illustrated a rough porous surface. Both TGA and DSC results indicated that the thermal stability of PCL increased due to the incorporation of nanofillers.