Defect-free lignin/PVA fibers and thin films reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) were produced from aqueous dispersions and the space-resolved thermal behavior and surface hardness were investigated by using nanoTA and nanoindentation techniques, respectively. The continuous phase of the produced fibers and films was enriched in lignin while the dispersed phase consisted of a lignin/PVA polymer mixture. Importantly, the size of the phase separated domains was reduced by the addition of CNCs, indicating a better polymer mixing. The positive effect of CNC loading was revealed via nanoindentation and dynamic mechanical analyses which indicated a substantial increase of the elastic modulus at 15 wt% CNC concentration. Finally, nanoindentation hardness revealed key microphysical processes that controlled the yielding behavior of the lignin-based composite systems.

Nanoindentation and space-resolved thermal analysis of lignin-based nanofibers and films

247th National Meeting (2014)

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