Silane compatibilzation to improve the dispersion, thermal and mechancial properties of cellulose nanocrystals in poly (ethylene oxide)

Abstract

Cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) has potential to be used as a reinforcement in polymeric nanocomposites because of their inherent biodegradability, universal accessibility, and superior mechanical properties. The most crucial challenge faced in the nanocomposite production is dispersing the nanoparticles effectively in the polymer matrix, so that the exceptional mechanical properties of the nanoparticles can be transferred to the macroscale properties to the bulk nanocomposites. In this research, a safe, effective and ecofriendly modification was used to functionalize the surface hydroxyl groups of CNC via silane treatment. These modified CNCs were used as reinforcements to prepare poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO)/CNC nanocomposites. The composites were prepared using solvent casting method. The composite properties were evaluated using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Thermo-Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA). The SEM micrographs demonstrated that the composites incorporated with silane treated CNCs showed improvement in the dispersion behavior of the nanoparticles in the matrix. Oxidative combustion of the composites containing silane treated CNCs promoted char formation and enhanced thermal stability. The composites containing (1:1) silane treated CNCs exhibited the better crystallization ability, highest storage modulus, and lowest tan d value compared to the other silane treated systems indicating improved dispersion of CNC. The polysiloxane network provided an efficient surface covering of the CNC molecules, imparting reduced polar surface characteristics and enhancing the overall mechanical properties of the composites.

Interphase parameter prediction in nanocellulose composites using young modulus modeling

“…60,62 Therefore, it is acceptable that the interphase parameters in these samples (samples: 4, 6, and 8 in Table 1) be higher than other samples like PBS/NFC or PP/NCC. Also, good nanocellulose dispersion provides a large interfacial area between polymer and nanocellulose, and strong interaction/bonding between polymer matrix and nanocellulose 8,59,63 introduces strong interphase, resulting in high Y and E i parameters. Therefore, interfacial area, dispersion quality, compatibility between polymer matrix and nanofiller, and interfacial interaction/adhesion are all important factors that influence interphase properties.…”

“…12,54,66 This tendency complicates the dispersion of these crystals in polymer matrices, particularly non-polar or hydrophobic ones. 24,[53][54][55]63,67 In this case, the interfacial zone or interphase properties can have a significant impact on the overall properties of the nanocellulose composite materials.…”

“…This significant difference is verified by increasing Y by 3400% and E i by 1045%. As a result, strong interphase is required to transfer more stress from the polymer matrix to nanoparticles, 44,63,68,70 so the compatibilizer or modified nanocellulose has an essential role in the fine dispersion of nanocellulose in a polymeric matrix, especially a non-polar ones. 10,24,51,54,55,71 As noted earlier, several micro-mechanics modeling approaches, such as Halin-Tsai, Cox, and Mori-Tanaka models, 52,72,73 are common for predicting the modulus and strength of nanocellulose composites, disregarding interphase parameters.…”

Molecular Dynamics Simulations of the Mechanical Properties of Cellulose Nanocrystals—Graphene Layered Nanocomposites

“…Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) show exceptional mechanical properties, biodegradability and environmental friendliness [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. The typical CNCs with lengths of 50–4000 nm and widths of 3–20 nm are extracted using sulfuric acid hydrolysis from natural cellulose microfibrils (e.g., trees, plants, cotton, agricultural waste) [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]. CNCs have been used in the development of network composites and as reinforced fillers in polymer composites [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ].…”

Development of antimicrobial composite materials for food packaging applications

“…The incorporation of silane-modified nanocellulose to PLA composite films improved the tensile properties, heat stability, light barrier property, and air permeability of the films (Jin, Tang, Zhu, & Zhou, 2020;Qian, Sheng, Yu, Xu, & Lopez, 2018). Also, Chanda et al (2021) reported the enhanced dispersion, thermal and mechanical properties of polyethylene oxide films by incorporating silane-modified cellulose nanocrystals. The previous results showed that silane modification of nanocellulose allows them to be compatible with hydrophobic as wells as hydrophilic polymer matrices.…”