Cellulose Nanocrystals vs. Cellulose Nanofibrils: A Comparative Study on Their Microstructures and Effects as Polymer Reinforcing Agents

• DOI: 10.1021/am302624t
• Publication Date: 2013-03-22T16:26:01Z
• Authors: Xuezhu Xu; Fei Liu; Long Jiang; J. Y. Zhu; Darrin Haagenson; Dennis P. Wiesenborn
• Keywords: Nanocellulose; Polymer nanocomposite

Both cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and nanofibrils (CNFs) are nanoscale fibers that have shown reinforcing effects in polymer nanocomposites. CNCs CNFs different shape, size composition. This study systematically compared their morphologies, crystalline structure, dispersion properties polyethylene oxide (PEO) matrix, interactions with the resulting on matrix polymer. Transparent PEO/CNC PEO/CNF nanocomposites comprising up to 10 wt % nanofibers were obtained via solution casting. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WXRD), transmission (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA), tensile testing used examine above-mentioned of nanocellulose composites. At same concentration, led higher strength modulus than did due CNFs' larger aspect ratio fiber entanglement, but lower strain-at-failure because relatively large agglomerates. The Halpin-Kardos Ouali models simulate composites good agreements found between predicted experimental values. type systematic comparative can help develop criteria for selecting proper as a biobased nano-reinforcement material