title: Surface Engineering of Cellulose Nanofiber by Adsorption of Diblock Copolymer Dispersant for Green Nanocomposite Materials.
abstract: An effective approach for the dispersion of hydrophilic cellulose nanofiber (CNF) in hydrophobic high-density polyethylene (HDPE) is presented using adsorption of a diblock copolymer dispersant. The dispersant consists of both resin compatible poly(lauryl methacrylate) (PLMA) and cellulose interactive poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) blocks. The PLMA-adsorbed CNFs are characterized by FT-IR and contact angle measurement, revealing successful hydrophobization. X-ray CT imaging shows there are apparently less CNF aggregates in the nanocomposites if adding amount of the dispersant was enough. The good dispersion results in a high mechanical reinforcement, corresponding to 140% higher Young's modulus and 84% higher tensile strength than the neat HDPE. This approach is broadly applicable and allows for easy manufacturing process for strong and lightweight CNF-reinforced nanocomposite materials.
authors: Institute for Chemical Research (ICR) and ‡Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere (RISH), Kyoto University , Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan.
authors: Keita
authors: K
authors: Sakakibara
authors: Institute for Chemical Research (ICR) and ‡Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere (RISH), Kyoto University , Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan.
authors: Hiroyuki
authors: H
authors: Yano
authors: Institute for Chemical Research (ICR) and ‡Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere (RISH), Kyoto University , Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan.
authors: Yoshinobu
authors: Y
authors: Tsujii
keywords: adsorption; cellulose nanofiber; diblock copolymer; nanocomposite; poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate); poly(lauryl methacrylate); polymer dispersant