Abstract
Cellulose nanoparticles (CNPs) were prepared from microcrystalline cellulose using two concentration levels of sulfuric acid (i.e., 48 wt% and 64 wt% with produced CNPs designated as CNPs-48 and CNPs-64, respectively) followed by high-pressure homogenization. CNP-reinforced polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) composite films at various CNP loadings were made using solvent exchange and solution casting methods. The ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) transmittance spectra between 400 and 800 nm showed that CNPs-64/PMMA composites had a significantly higher optical transmittance than that of CNPs-48/PMMA. Their transmittance decreased with increased CNP loadings. The addition of CNPs to the PMMA matrix reduced composite’s coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), and CNPs-64/PMMA had a lower CTE than CNPs-48/PMMA at the same CNP level. Reinforcement effect was achieved with the addition of CNPs to the PMMA matrix, especially at higher temperature levels. CNPs-64/PMMA exhibited a higher storage modulus compared with CNPs-48/PMMA material. All CNP-reinforced composites showed higher Young’s modulus and tensile strengths than pure PMMA. The effect increased with increased CNP loadings in the PMMA matrix for both CNPs-64/PMMA and CNPs-48/PMMA composites. CNPs affected the Young’s modulus more than they affected the tensile strength.
Highlights
Cellulose is the most abundant renewable organic material produced in the biosphere, with an annual production estimated to be over 7.5 × 1010 tons [1]
The transparent Cellulose nanoparticles (CNPs)-reinforced PMMA nanocomposites with high mechanical properties and low thermal expansion were successfully fabricated in this work
CNPs-48 resulted in a larger decrease in the optical transmittance compared to the CNPs-64 material
Summary
Cellulose is the most abundant renewable organic material produced in the biosphere, with an annual production estimated to be over 7.5 × 1010 tons [1]. It is well known that acid hydrolysis of cellulose fibers yields highly ordered rod-like cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), called nanocrystalline cellulose [3]. CNCs are highly crystalline with a width of 2 to 20 nm and a length up to several micrometers [4]. CNCs have high mechanical properties along the longitudinal direction with an estimated modulus of elasticity of 138 GPa [5]. The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of CNCs along the longitudinal direction is less than 1 × 10−7 °C−1, which is as small as that of quartz [6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
