Abstract
Nanofibrillated bacterial cellulose (NFBC), a type of cellulose nanofiber biosynthesized by Gluconacetobacter sp., has extremely long (i.e., high-aspect-ratio) fibers that are expected to be useful as nanofillers for fiber-reinforced composite resins. In this study, we investigated a composite of NFBC and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), a highly transparent resin, with the aim of improving the mechanical properties of the latter. The abundant hydroxyl groups on the NFBC surface were silylated using 3-(methacryloyloxy)propyltrimethoxysilane (MPTMS), a silane coupling agent bearing a methacryloyl group as the organic functional group. The surface-modified NFBC was homogeneously dispersed in chloroform, mixed with neat PMMA, and converted into PMMA composites using a simple solvent-casting method. The tensile strength and Young’s modulus of the composite increased by factors of 1.6 and 1.8, respectively, when only 0.10 wt% of the surface-modified NFBC was added, without sacrificing the maximum elongation rate. In addition, the composite maintained the high transparency of PMMA, highlighting that the addition of MPTMS-modified NFBC easily reinforce PMMA. Furthermore, interactions involving the organic functional groups of MPTMS were found to be very important for reinforcing PMMA.
Highlights
Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is a widely used transparent thermoplastic material known for its applicability to a variety of products, including car windows and smartphone screens
We found that Nanofibrillated bacterial cellulose (NFBC) surface‐treated with MPTMS bearing methacry‐
We found that NFBC surface-treated with MPTMS bearing methacryloyl groups enhances the tensile mechanical properties of PMMA at a concentration of only
Summary
Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is a widely used transparent thermoplastic material known for its applicability to a variety of products, including car windows and smartphone screens. Various types of micro- and nanofiber, including carbon, aramid, and ultra high-molecular-weight polystyrene, have been investigated as reinforcing fillers that enhance the mechanical properties of PMMA [7,8,14]. These fillers absorb stress and energy inadequately, which leads to structural deficiencies, Nanomaterials 2022, 12, 537. The surface layers of NFBCs were treated with 3-(methacryloyloxy)propylt rimethoxysilane (MPTMS), which is a silane coupling agent bearing methacryloyl groups that are structurally similar to the side chains of PMMA (Scheme 1) This treatment protocol is designed to enhance PMMA/NFBC interfacial compatibility by improving structural similarity.
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