2,5-Furandicarboxylate-based elastomer composites with surface-treated nanocellulose crystals: Toward...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Developing sustainable, high-performance bio-based elastomers is crucial for reducing reliance on petroleum-based materials.
• Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) offer a promising renewable reinforcement, but their effective dispersion in polymer matrices remains a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel bio-based elastomer nanocomposite with enhanced mechanical properties.
• To investigate the effect of CNC surface functionalization on dispersion and performance in a poly(butylene-co-poly(tetramethylene ether glycol)furanoate) (PBPF) matrix.
• To optimize CNC loading and surface chemistry for superior elastomer performance.

Main Methods:

• Systematic assessment of long-term dispersibility of sulfated (PCNC), carboxylated (ACNC), and silanized (SCNC) cellulose nanocrystals in 1,4-butanediol.
• In situ polymerization to create PBPF elastomer nanocomposites.
• Mechanical testing (tensile strength, elongation at break) and morphological/thermal analyses.

Main Results:

• Surface chemistry of CNCs critically influenced their dispersion and compatibility within the PBPF matrix.
• Anionic CNCs (PCNC and ACNC) exhibited superior uniform dispersion and minimized agglomeration during polymerization.
• The optimal formulation (0.1 wt% ACNC) achieved a tensile strength of 70.9 MPa and elongation at break of 713%, outperforming existing bio-based elastomers.

Conclusions:

• Optimized CNC surface functionalization is key to achieving uniform dispersion and enhanced interfacial interactions in bio-based elastomer nanocomposites.
• The developed PBPF elastomer with ACNC reinforcement demonstrates significant potential for sustainable, high-performance material applications.
• This work provides a scalable strategy for fabricating advanced bio-based elastomers through controlled nanocrystal integration.