Fabrication and performance of nitrocellulose nanoparticles reinforced environment-friendly waterborne ethyl cellulose (Surelease®) nanocomposites

Abstract

In terms of eco-friendly materials, cellulose-based nanomaterials have received widespread attention as nano-functional fillers due to their lower production costs, better biodegradability, and excellent interfacial compatibility with polymers. In this paper, a nitrocellulose (NC) nano aqueous dispersion was successfully prepared using a simple, low-energy solvent displacement method. The effect of the organic: aqueous phase mixing order and kinetics, organic solvent, stirring speed, and organic: aqueous phase mixing ratio on the particle size and polydispersity index (PDI) of the nanoparticles were investigated. The obtained NC dispersion had a small particle size (Z-average particle diameter (Zave) < 100 nm), uniform size distribution (polydispersity index (PDI) < 0.2), and relatively good stability (Zeta potential is about −30 mV). And a series of Surelease® nanocomposites incorporated with various content of NC nanoparticles were fabricated via a facile solution casting/solvent evaporation method. The micromorphology, chemical structure, thermal properties, and water vapor sorption behavior of the nanocomposites were systematically investigated by Field scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer, Differential scanning calorimetry, Thermogravimetric analysis, and dynamic vapor sorption technology. The results show that the nanocomposites have good resistance to moisture absorption (<3 %) and effective thermal properties.