Abstract
Chitin nanocrystals (CNCs), rod-like crystalline nanoparticles from natural sources, show high aspect ratio, high modulus, and excellent reinforcing ability towards polymers. In this study, CNCs aqueous dispersions were firstly prepared by acid hydrolysis of raw chitin. The results dispersion was investigated by polarized optical microscopy and rheometer at different CNCs concentrations. A nematic liquid crystals phenomenon with increasing solid concentration is found in the CNCs dispersion. When the concentration of CNCs dispersion is beyond 5 wt.%, the dispersion form liquid crystal phase. CNCs dispersions were then compounded with natural rubber (NR) latex to prepare NR/CNCs composites. CNCs are evenly dispersed in NR matrix, which can effectively enhance the mechanical properties and thermal stability of rubber. The tensile strength of NR/CNCs composite containing 5 wt.% CNCs is 5.75 MPa which is 6.25 multiples of pure NR. Also, the tear strength, storage modulus, thermal decomposition temperature of ...
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