title: Lignocellulose Nanofiber-Reinforced Polystyrene Produced from Composite Microspheres Obtained in Suspension Polymerization Shows Superior Mechanical Performance.
abstract: A facile approach to obtaining cellulose nanofiber-reinforced polystyrene with greatly improved mechanical performance compared to unreinforced polystyrene is presented. Cellulose nanofibers were obtained by mechanical fibrillation of partially delignified wood (MFLC) and compared to nanofibers obtained from bleached pulp. Residual hemicellulose and lignin imparted amphiphilic surface chemical character to MFLC, which enabled the stabilization of emulsions of styrene in water. Upon suspension polymerization of styrene from the emulsion, polystyrene microspheres coated in MFLC were obtained. When processed into polymer sheets by hot-pressing, improved bending strength and superior impact toughness was observed for the polystyrene-MFLC composite compared to the un-reinforced polystyrene.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ballner
authors.affiliation: Kompetenzzentrum Holz GmbH , Altenbergerstrasse 69, 4040 Linz, Austria.
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Herzele
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Physics, University of Leoben , Jahnstrasse 12, 8700 Leoben, Austria.
authors.forename: Jozef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Keckes
authors.affiliation: Department of Polymer Technology, University of Leoben , Otto Glöckel Strasse 2, 8700 Leoben, Austria.
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Edler
authors.affiliation: Department of Polymer Technology, University of Leoben , Otto Glöckel Strasse 2, 8700 Leoben, Austria.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Griesser
authors.affiliation: Zentrum Holzwirtschaft, University of Hamburg , Leuschnerstrasse 91, 21031 Hamburg-Bergedorf, Germany.
authors.forename: Bodo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Saake
authors.forename: Falk
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Liebner
authors.forename: Antje
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Potthast
authors.affiliation: Institute for Chemical Technology of Organic Materials, Johannes Kepler University , Altenbergerstrasse 69, 4040 Linz, Austria.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Paulik
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gindl-Altmutter
keywords: cellulose; lignin; nanocomposite; polystyrene; suspension polymerization