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Nanocomposites of Hydrophobized Cellulose Nanocrystals and Polypropylene

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 February 2016

Blake R. Teipel ,
Ryan J. Vano ,
Bryan S. Zahner ,
Elisa M. Teipel ,
I-Cheng Chen  and
Mustafa Akbulut
Blake R. Teipel
Affiliation:
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-3003, United States
Ryan J. Vano
Affiliation:
Essentium Materials LLC, 5880 Imperial Loop Dr., Ste 10, College Station, Texas 77845
Bryan S. Zahner
Affiliation:
Essentium Materials LLC, 5880 Imperial Loop Dr., Ste 10, College Station, Texas 77845
Elisa M. Teipel
Affiliation:
Essentium Materials LLC, 5880 Imperial Loop Dr., Ste 10, College Station, Texas 77845
I-Cheng Chen
Affiliation:
Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-3122, United States
Mustafa Akbulut*
Affiliation:
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-3003, United States Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-3122, United States
*
*Phone: 979-847-8766. Fax: 979-845-6446. E-mail: makbulut@tamu.edu
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Abstract

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are high-strength sustainable nanomaterials, the incorporation of which to a host polymer matrix can potentially lead to nanocomposites with superior mechanical properties. However, the mismatch in surface energy of CNCs and common structural polymers is a challenge that needs to be overcome to prevent the aggregation of CNCs and ensure the robust integration of CNCs into a polymer matrix. Herein, we report an approach involving the functionalization of CNCs with maleated-anhydride polypropylene (MAPP) through diethylenetriamine (DETA) linkers to significantly enhance the compatibility between CNCs and polypropylene. Polypropylene/modified CNC nanocomposites displayed 74% and 76% increase in elastic modulus in comparison to neat polypropylene and polypropylene/untreated CNC nanocomposites, respectively. The tensile strength was also higher for nanocomposites with modified CNC than neat polypropylene, as well as nanocomposites with untreated CNCs. The tensile strength at 5.5% strain of polypropylene/modified CNC nanocomposites was 32% and 28% larger that of polypropylene and polypropylene/untreated CNC nanocomposites, respectively. Finally, such CNC-based nanocomposites have a lower density than many competitive systems resulting in opportunities to propagate this environmentally-responsible technology to nanocomposites used in additive manufacturing, automotive applications, construction materials and consumer products.

Keywords

compositepolymerSustainability
Type
Articles
Information
MRS Advances , Volume 1 , Issue 10: Biomaterials and Soft Materials , 2016 , pp. 659 - 665
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2016 

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