Poly(methyl vinyl ether-co-maleic acid)-Polyethylene Glycol Nanocomposites Cross-Linked In Situ with Cellulose Nanowhiskers
Journal article, 2010

Nanocomposites were developed by cross-linking cellulose nanowhiskers with poly(methyl vinyl ether-co-maleic acid) and polyethylene glycol. Nuclear Magnetic resonance (NMR) studies showed cross-linking occurs between the matrix and cellulose nanowhiskers via an esterification reaction. Proton NMR 12 relaxation experiments provided information on the mobility of the polymer chains within the matrix, which can be related to the structure of the cross-linked nanocomposite: The nanocomposite was found to consist of mobile chitin portions between crosslinked junction points and immobilized chain segments near or at those junction points, whose relative fraction increased upon further incorporation of cellulose nanowhiskers. Atomic force microscopy images showed homogeneous dispersion of nanowhiskers in the matrix even at high nanowhisker content, which can he attributed to cross-linking of the nanowhiskers in the matrix. Relative humidity conditions were found to affect the mechanical properties of the composites negatively while the nanowhiskers content had a positive effect. It is expected that the cross-links between the matrix and the cellulose nanowhiskers trap the nanowhiskers in the cross-linked network, preventing nanowhisker aggregation subsequently producing cellulose nanocomposites with unique mechanical behaviors. The results show that in situ cross-linking of cellulose nanowhiskers with a matrix polymer is a promising route to obtain nanocomposites with well dispersed nanowhiskers, tailored nanostructure, and mechanical performance.

nanocrystals

starch

mechanical-properties

whiskers

nanoparticles

surfactant

behavior

elastic-modulus

delivery

Author

L. A. Goetz

Luleå University of Technology

Institute of Paper Science and Technology

M. Foston

Institute of Paper Science and Technology

A. P. Mathew

Luleå University of Technology

Kristiina Oksman

Luleå University of Technology

Art Ragauskas

Chalmers, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Forest Products and Chemical Engineering

Biomacromolecules

1525-7797 (ISSN) 1526-4602 (eISSN)

Vol. 11 10 2660-2666

Subject Categories

Chemical Engineering

DOI

10.1021/bm1006695

More information

Latest update

5/14/2018