Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are attracting growing interest as a bio-based, inexpensive, high-stiffness filler and are potentially useful for the reinforcement of a broad range of polymers. Processing of these materials is, however, quite intricate, especially with processes that are useful for technological exploitation. Hurdles include the facts that (i) CNCs have a strong tendency for aggregation, (ii) suffer from mechanical degradation when processed under high shear (ii), and display limited thermal stability. This presentation will summarize our recent efforts to overcome these problems. Processing-structure-property relationships will be discussed on the basis of several selected materials systems and processes. Examples that will be presented include template-made nanocomposites of low-density polyethylene and CNCs, solution-cast poly(vinyl acetate)/CNC nanocomposites that were post-proces­sed by different melt-processing schemes, and poly(amide 12)/CNC nanocomposites that were prepared by direct mixing in a roller blade mixer

Processing and properties of polymer nanocomposites with cellulose nanocrystals

249th National Meeting (2015)

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