title: Synthesis and characterization of cellulose whiskers/polymer nanocomposite dispersion by mini-emulsion polymerization.
abstract: Stable film-forming nanocomposite particles with diameters ranging from 120 to 300 nm, based on polybutylmethacrylate (PBMA) and cellulose whiskers in water dispersions, were successfully synthesized in one step through mini-emulsion polymerization. The nanocomposite dispersion with a solid content of 25 wt.% and up to 5 wt.% of nanofiller loading was prepared by in situ polymerization, in the presence of the whiskers using dodecylpyridinium chloride (DPC), as a cationic surfactant, and 2,2-azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN), as initiator. The electrostatic interaction between the positively charged droplets and negatively charged whiskers ensured the anchoring of the nanofiller around the polymer particles. The ensuing dispersions were characterized by Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), ζ-Potential Measurements, and Field-Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM). After the film formation process, the nanocomposite film exhibits a high transparency, denoting the good dispersion of the whiskers throughout the matrix.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire Sciences des Matériaux et Environnement, LMSE, University of Sfax, BP 802-3018 Sfax, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Ayman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ben Mabrouk
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rei Vilar
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Magnin
authors.forename: Mohamed Naceur
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Belgacem
authors.forename: Sami
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Boufi
mesh_terms: D002482:Cellulose / Q000737:chemistry*; D060326:Chemistry Techniques, Synthetic; D004655:Emulsions / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size; D011108:Polymers / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D004655:Emulsions; D011108:Polymers; D002482:Cellulose