Preparation of Sb<inf>2</inf>O<inf>3</inf>-carboxymethyl cellulose sodium nanoparticles and their reinforcing action on plasticized starch

Preparation of antimony trioxide (Sb2O3)- carboxymethyl cellulose sodium nanoparticles and their reinforcing action on plasticized starch, was investigated. Carboxymethyl cellulose was added to 250 mL distilled water and the mixture was heated at 90°C for about 10 min with constant stirring to achieve complete dissolution of CMC. The solution was then cooled to room temperature. Potassium antimony tartrate was added to the solution, and then 250mLof aqueous sodium hydroxide solution were added dropwise with constant stirring. The reaction was continued for 1 h after addition of sodium hydroxide was completed. Afterwards the solution was centrifuged at 12000 rpm for 20 min, and the settled Sb2O3-CMC was washed three times using distilled water to remove the byproducts and the excess CMC, and after that 5 g pea starch was added. It was observed that with the increase in Sb2O3-CMC contents, the tensile strength increases, but the elongation at break of the composites decreases.