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A novel cellulose nanocrystal (CNC)-grafted macromonomer containing both saturated and unsaturated fatty acids was synthesized from spent hen lipids, which was further homopolymerized and copolymerized with styrene and in-situ nano-reinforced into nanocomposites. The purpose of the current study was to harvest the massive and cheap bioresource of the poultry industry, the spent hen derived lipids with the ultimate goal of developing nanocomposites for different potential applications.
Spent hens were collected with the help of Alberta Hatching Egg Producers, Edmonton, AB, Canada. Lipids (mainly composed of triacylglycerols (TAGs)) were extracted from spent hens using microwave- assisted technology. Spent hen lipid-based nanocomposites were fabricated by copolymerization of CNC-grafted macromonomer (Ac-CNC-ELSH) with 30 wt% styrene using 1 wt% AIBN as a catalyst. The chemical grafting on CNC, its polymerization and effect of nanofiller were characterized and investigated by various analytical techniques.
The results revealed improved thermal stability for all nanocomposites with higher onset of degradation temperature and more char production for 5% and 10% nanoclay composites, while increased tensile strength was obtained for all nanoclay composites. However, reduced storage modulus and higher moisture uptake was observed for nanocomposites compared to the control polymer composite, which can be attributed to poor interfacial adhesion between nanofiller and matrices, and hydrophilic nature of nanofillers, respectively
In this study, we have successfully prepared a novel spent hen derived lipid-based CNC-grafted acrylated macromonomer and its corresponding homopolymer and styrene copolymer composites reinforced with different percentages of nanoclay (1%, 5%, and 10% by weight), which were characterized by various analytical techniques and investigated for their thermal, mechanical and water absorption behavior. The synthesized cross-linked nanoreinforced biomaterial from spent hen derived lipids with enhanced thermal and mechanical properties offers an environment friendly material that can be used potentially as composites or coatings in different industrial sectors.