Nanocomposites of LLDPE and Surface-Modified Cellulose Nanocrystals Prepared by Melt Processing

Molecules : a Journal of Synthetic Chemistry and Natural Product Chemistry
Alojz AnžlovarEma Žagar

Abstract

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were surface modified by esterification in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at 25 °C using different catalysts and anhydrides bearing different alkyl side chain lengths. Unmodified and acetic anhydride (AcAnh)-modified CNCs were studied as potential nanofillers for linear low-density poly(ethylene) (LLDPE). Nanocomposites were prepared by melt processing. Determination of the size and size distribution of CNCs in the nanocomposites by SEM revealed an enhanced compatibility of the AcAnh-modified CNCs with the LLDPE matrix, since the average size of the aggregates of the modified CNCs (0.5⁻5 μm) was smaller compared to that of the unmodified CNCs (2⁻20 μm). Tensile test experiments revealed an increase in the nanocomposites' stiffness and strain at break-by 20% and up to 90%, respectively-at the CNC concentration of 5 wt %, which is close to the critical percolation concentration. Since the CNC nanofiller simultaneously reduced LLDPE crystallinity, the reinforcement effect of CNCs was hampered. Therefore, the molding temperature was increased to 120 °C, and, in this way, the greatest increase of the Young's modulus was achieved (by ~45%). Despite the enhanced compatibility of the AcAnh-modified CNCs with the LL...Continue Reading

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Citations

Apr 20, 2021·Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology·Catarina FelgueirasFernando Dourado

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
chemical modification
dynamic light-scattering
NMR
differential scanning calorimetry
infrared spectroscopy
X-ray
scanning electron microscopy

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