Functionalized cellulose nanocrystals as biobased nucleation agents in poly( l-lactide) (PLLA) – Crystallization and mechanical property effects

The important industrial problem of slow crystallization of poly( l-lactide) (PLLA) is addressed by the use of cellulose nanocrystals as biobased nucleation reagents. Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) were prepared by acid hydrolysis of cotton and additionally functionalized by partial silylation through...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Composites science and technology 2010-05, Vol.70 (5), p.815-821
Main Authors: Pei, Aihua, Zhou, Qi, Berglund, Lars A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
A. Nano composites
A. Particle-reinforced composites
Applied sciences
B. Mechanical properties
Casting
Cellulose
Cellulose nanocrystals
Chemistry
Composites
Computer numerical control
Crystallization
E. Casting
Exact sciences and technology
Forms of application and semi-finished materials
Kemi
Mechanical properties
Nano composites
Nanocrystals
Nanomaterials
Nanostructure
NATURAL SCIENCES
NATURVETENSKAP
Nucleation
Particle-reinforced composites
Polymer industry, paints, wood
Technology of polymers
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Summary:The important industrial problem of slow crystallization of poly( l-lactide) (PLLA) is addressed by the use of cellulose nanocrystals as biobased nucleation reagents. Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) were prepared by acid hydrolysis of cotton and additionally functionalized by partial silylation through reactions with n-dodecyldimethylchlorosilane in toluene. Such silylated cellulose nanocrystals (SCNC) were dispersible in tetrahydrofuran and chloroform, and formed stable suspensions. Nanocomposite films of PLLA and CNC or SCNC were prepared by solution casting. The effects of surface silylation of cellulose nanocrystals on morphology, non-isothermal and isothermal crystallization behavior, and mechanical properties of these truly nanostructured composites were investigated. The unmodified CNC formed aggregates in the composites, whereas the SCNC were well-dispersed and individualized in PLLA. As a result, the tensile modulus and tensile strength of the PLLA/SCNC nanocomposite films were more than 20% higher than for pure PLLA with only 1 wt.% SCNC, due to crystallinity effects and fine dispersion.
ISSN:0266-3538
1879-1050
1879-1050
DOI:10.1016/j.compscitech.2010.01.018