Poly(methyl vinyl ether-co-maleic acid)-polyethylene glycol nanocomposites cross-linked in situ with cellulose nanowhiskers.
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 T(2) 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 chain portions between cross-linked 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 a homogeneous dispersion of nanowhiskers in the matrix even at high nanowhisker content, which can be 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.
Goetz
Lee
L
Institute of Paper Science and Technology, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Foston
Marcus
M
Mathew
Aji P
AP
Oksman
Kristiina
K
Ragauskas
Arthur J
AJ
D002482:Cellulose / Q000737:chemistry*; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000737:chemistry*; D020100:Hydrogels; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008298:Maleates / Q000737:chemistry*; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D015394:Molecular Structure; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry*; D011095:Polyethylenes / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties; D013718:Tensile Strength
D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D020100:Hydrogels; D008298:Maleates; D011095:Polyethylenes; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D002482:Cellulose; C043105:poly(methyl vinyl ether-co-maleic anhydride)