Abstract
The aim of our research was to investigate the effect of a small nanocellulose (NC) addition on an improvement of the mechanical properties of epoxy composites. A procedure of chemical extraction from pressed lignin was used to obtain nanocellulose fibers. The presence of nanoparticles in the cellulose pulp was confirmed by FTIR/ATR spectra as well as measurement of nanocellulose particle size using a Zetasizer analyzer. Epoxy composites with NC contents from 0.5% to 1.5% w/w were prepared. The obtained composites were subjected to strength tests, such as impact strength (IS) and resistance to three-point bending with a determination of critical stress intensity factor (Kc). The impact strength of nanocellulose composites doubled in comparison to the unmodified epoxy resin (EP 0). Moreover, Kc was increased by approximately 50% and 70% for the 1.5 and 0.5% w/w NC, respectively. The maximum value of stress at break was achieved at 1% NC concentration in EP and it was 15% higher than that for unmodified epoxy resin. The highest value of destruction energy was characterized by the composition with 0.5% NC and corresponds to the increase of 102% in comparison with EP 0. Based on the analysis of the results it was noted that satisfactory improvement of the mechanical properties of the composite was achieved with a very small addition of nanofiller while other research indicates the need to add much more nanocellulose. It is also expected that this kind of use of raw materials will allow increasing the economic efficiency of the nanocomposite preparation process. Moreover, nanocomposites obtained in this way can be applied as elements of machines or as a modified epoxy matrix for sandwich composites, enabling production of the structure material with reduced weight but improved mechanical properties.
Highlights
Particles in the size range of 30.89 nm show an intensity of about 11%
Prepared samples propagation was determined based on the impact strength and critical stress intensity containing nanocellulose as a reinforcement for the epoxy matrix
The analysisofofnanocellulose the obtainedcan results confirmsimprove that thethe addition of a small w/w) amount significantly mechanical properties of epoxy w/w) amount of nanocellulose can significantly improve the mechanical properties of resin
Summary
The functional properties of nanocellulose fibers are determined by the significantly larger surface area in comparison to natural macrocellulose. This can cause stronger interactions with surrounding particles, e.g., it strongly binds its own and other nanoparticles. Intensive research on innovative materials filled with nanocellulose has been carried out. This is due to the extraordinary properties of nanocellulose. Cellulose is a material widely occurring in nature which can be obtained from many natural sources, such as rice [4,5], wood, cotton and plant biomass [6]. Other interesting sources of cellulose are the tunics of marine animals [7,8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
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 call
