Surface Modification of Cellulose Nanocrystals with Succinic Anhydride

Abstract

The surface modification of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) is a key intermediate step in the development of new functionalities and the tailoring of nanomaterial properties for specific applications. In the area of polymeric nanocomposites, apart from good interfacial adhesion, the high thermal stability of cellulose nanomaterial is vitally required for the stable processing and improvement of material properties. In this respect, the heterogeneous esterification of CNC with succinic anhydride was investigated in this work in order to obtain CNC with optimised surface and thermal properties. The influence of reaction parameters, such as time, temperature, and molar ratio of reagents, on the structure, morphology and thermal properties, were systematically studied over a wide range of values by DLS, FTIR, XPS, WAXD, SEM and TGA methods. It was found that the degree of surface substitution of CNC increased with the molar ratio of succinic anhydride to cellulose hydroxyl groups (SA:OH), as well as the reaction time, whilst the temperature of reaction showed a moderate effect on the degree of esterification in the range of 70–110 °C. The studies on the thermal stability of modified nanoparticles indicated that there is a critical extent of surface esterification below which only a slight decrease of the initial temperature of degradation was observed in pyrolytic and oxidative atmospheres. A significant reduction of CNC thermal stability was observed only for the longest reaction time (240 min) and the highest molar ratio of SA:OH. This illustrates the possibility of manufacturing thermally stable, succinylated, CNC by controlling the reaction conditions and the degree of esterification.

Cellulose Fibers Hydrophobization via a Hybrid Chemical Modification

“…In this project, the main goal was to decline the water amount in cellulose fibers via various chemical treatments considering their potential employment in polymer composites. In this situation, the biopolymer moisture content is of a high importance while considering obtaining the material of the best possible properties [33,34,35,36]. Moreover, the new hybrid chemical treatment approach, which has been adapted from papermaking [37], is introduced.…”

Electrostatic or Steric Stabilization of the Cellulose Nanostructures Using Different Modifying Agents

“…The 3% sample was the only one that maintained the cellulosic structure after the surface modification, with small variations in chemical bonds associated with the interaction with the surfactant. [ 34 ]…”

Tailored higher performance silicone elastomer with nanofibrillated cellulose through acidic treatment

“…The mechanical properties of the composite polymer were dependent on the distribution and size of nanofiller particles in the matrices [17] and chemical bonding between the polymer and nanofiller. [16] These characteristics are very important because agglomeration might reduce the mechanical properties of the composites and load transfer between reinforcement and polymer.…”

“…Moreover, the esterification reaction of NFC with acetic anhydride, butyric anhydride, and caproic anhydride has also been studied as a strategy to overcome the agglomeration. [16,17] NFC can be reinforced to a polymer matrix which will yield a lightweight material as compared to other fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) such as glass fiber reinforced plastic and carbon fiber reinforced plastic. However, to obtain a composite polymer with desirable properties, a welldispersed NFC is of great importance.…”