Effects of starch nanocrystal- graft-polycaprolactone on mechanical properties of waterborne polyurethane-based nanocomposites.

The article examines how starch nanocrystal-graft-polycaprolactone affects the mechanical properties of waterborne polyurethane (WPU)-based nanocomposites. Grafting with polycaprolactone (PCL) functionalized the surface of starch nanocrystals (StN). It was shown that a loading-level of 5 wt % StN-g-PCL led to a simultaneous improvement of tensile strength and elongation at break, both of which were higher than those of neat WPU.