Hybrid Cellulose Acetate Films with Carbon and Cellulose Nanostructures for Enhancing Its Properties: Structural, Mechanical, and Liquid Crystal Properties

This work deals with providing a perspective for promoting the performance of cellulose acetate (CA) by carbon and cellulose nanostructures (NSs) and sustainable upcycling of their metal-loaded wastes. The assessment of these CA-hybrid films was carried out in contrast to films from esterified NSs (as additives) and esterified CA by decanoyl chloride. In this respect, different carbon nanostructures (graphite oxide and carboxymethyl graphite oxide), biopolymer-based nanostructures (from cellulose of Giant Reed and Chitin precursors), and their metal chelation or esterification were used. These synthesized nanostructures and their modification were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffractometry (XRD). Their impact on the final nanocomposites was assessed by mechanical (FTIR), morphology (scanning electron microscope, SEM), and liquid crystal behavior as optical property (by polarized optical microscopy, POM) tests. The data showed the significant performance of nanostructures, especially carbon-NSs and cellulose-NSs, compared to esterified CA films; while both displayed good fingerprint texture with moderated defined morphologies that promote their liquid crystal nanocomposite development. This study provides a new route for environmental protection from disposing of the metal-loaded nanostructures (zero waste), especially carbon nanostructures, as well as promoting the economy of CA-wastes as an LC material.