The incorporation of small amounts of high-stiffness, high-aspect-ratio nanometer-sized fillers into polymers is a design approach that has rapidly emerged as a broadly exploited framework for the creation of new materials with tailored mechanical properties. Crystalline cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are attracting significant interest in this context, mainly due to their intriguing mechanical properties and the abundance of cellulose in the biomass. These nanocomposites show dynamic mechanical behavior, which is achieved through regulation of the molecular interactions, and therewith the stress transfer, between adjacent nanocrystals. We will present our experimental research, targeting the design and processing of CNCs directly into industrially relevant polymers, without the use of surface functionalization. We investigated how different processing methods affect the morphology and mechanical properties of nanocomposites made from poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc), nylon 12 or polyetyhylene and cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). Comparisons are made between traditionally made solution cast samples, and materials were post-processed by mixing in a roller blade mixer (RBM) or a twin-screw extruder (TSE) and subsequent compression molding.

Melt mixing cellulose nanocrystals and industrially relevant polymers

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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