Isolated from the most abundant and renewable biopolymer, nanocelluloses have become structural building blocks for many advanced functional materials. Both existing and new enabling applications of nanocelluloses depend critically on their surface characteristics. However, due to their inherent hydrophilicity, their utilization is limited to applications involving hydrophilic or polar media. Many surface modifications have been explored, but most employ chemistries that would not be acceptable from a health and safety or an environmental lifecycle standpoint. In the present study, we demonstrate a green, facile surface functionalization of crystalline nanocellulose (CNC) using lauric arginate, a food-grade cationic surfactant via ionic binding of its positively charged guanidinium groups onto the negatively charged surface of CNC. The amount of surfactant required to coat CNC is optimized, aiming at preventing excessive addition of the surfactant and undermining the properties of the resulting composites. The presence of absorbed surfactant on the modified CNC is confirmed using FTIR spectroscopy and its effects on morphology, polarity and thermal stability of the ensuing CNC are examined. Further, the functionalized CNC is incorporated into a hydrophobic poly(lactic acid) matrix and shows better dispersion than pristine CNC. The crystallinity, mechanical and thermal properties of the composite are greatly improved with the incorporation of the modified CNC. It is expected that this high performance bionanocomposite will expand the practical utilization of CNC and bioplastics in many industries including packaging, automotive, construction and others.<br/>

Surface polarity engineering of crystalline nanocellulose using a food-grade surfactant for improved sustainable biocomposites

253rd National Meeting (2017)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.