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Nanocomposites of Hydrophobized Cellulose Nanocrystals andPolypropylene

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 February 2016

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 StatesArtie 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, theincorporation of which to a host polymer matrix can potentially lead tonanocomposites with superior mechanical properties. However, the mismatch insurface energy of CNCs and common structural polymers is a challenge that needsto be overcome to prevent the aggregation of CNCs and ensure the robustintegration of CNCs into a polymer matrix. Herein, we report an approachinvolving the functionalization of CNCs with maleated-anhydride polypropylene(MAPP) through diethylenetriamine (DETA) linkers to significantly enhance thecompatibility between CNCs and polypropylene. Polypropylene/modified CNCnanocomposites displayed 74% and 76% increase in elastic modulus in comparisonto neat polypropylene and polypropylene/untreated CNC nanocomposites,respectively. The tensile strength was also higher for nanocomposites withmodified CNC than neat polypropylene, as well as nanocomposites with untreatedCNCs. The tensile strength at 5.5% strain of polypropylene/modified CNCnanocomposites was 32% and 28% larger that of polypropylene andpolypropylene/untreated CNC nanocomposites, respectively. Finally, suchCNC-based nanocomposites have a lower density than many competitive systemsresulting in opportunities to propagate this environmentally-responsibletechnology to nanocomposites used in additive manufacturing, automotiveapplications, construction materials and consumer products.

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Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2016 

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