The excellent emulsifying capacity of nanocellulose allows
for
the preparation of porous nanocellulose/polymer composites through
the emulsion templating process. However, the effects of the polymer
chemical structure and porosity on the material properties have not
been extensively explored. Here, we discuss the effects of these two
factors on the thermal and mechanical properties of the composites.
Two types of porous nanocellulose/polymer composites were fabricated
with styrene-divinylbenzene (poly(St-co-DVB)) or
styrene-poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate (poly(St-co-EGDMA)) copolymers as the polymer phases. The porosity of the composite
was changed up to ∼50% v/v by varying the aqueous phase volume
fraction in the original nanocellulose-stabilized w/o emulsions. As
the porosity increased, the thermal conductivity of the composite
decreased. The mechanical properties were strongly influenced by the
polymer type; the nanocellulose/poly(St-co-DVB) composite
showed stiff but brittle behavior, whereas the nanocellulose/poly(St-co-EGDMA) composite showed higher strength and toughness.
In both types of composites, the nanocelluloses served as reinforcing
agents, contributing to the improvement of the mechanical properties.