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Cellulose whisker/epoxy resin nanocomposites
1Department of Macromolecular Science and Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|April 29, 2010
Summary
New cellulose nanocomposites were created using whiskers from cotton and tunicates. These materials show enhanced mechanical properties, particularly at higher temperatures, due to a well-dispersed whisker network.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Cellulose nanofibers (whiskers) offer high aspect ratios and mechanical strength.
- Epoxy resins are versatile polymers with tunable properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prepare and characterize novel cellulose-epoxy nanocomposites.
- To investigate the effect of cellulose whisker content and origin on material properties.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of cellulose whiskers from cotton and tunicates.
- Preparation of nanocomposites by mixing whiskers with epoxy resin and curing agent.
- Characterization using electron microscopy and dynamic mechanical thermoanalysis.
Main Results:
- Even dispersion of cellulose whiskers in the epoxy matrix was observed.
- Glass transition temperature remained largely unaffected by whisker incorporation.
- Significant increases in tensile storage modulus (E") were achieved, especially above the glass transition temperature.
Conclusions:
- Cellulose-epoxy nanocomposites exhibit enhanced mechanical reinforcement.
- The formation of a percolating whisker network facilitates stress transfer.
- The percolation model effectively describes the observed mechanical behavior.
