Lignocellulose Nanofiber-Reinforced Polystyrene Produced from Composite Microspheres Obtained in Suspension Polymerization Shows Superior Mechanical Performance

Abstract

A facile approach to obtaining cellulose nanofiber-reinforced polystyrene with greatly improved mechanical performance compared to unreinforced polystyrene is presented. Cellulose nanofibers were obtained by mechanical fibrillation of partially delignified wood (MFLC) and compared to nanofibers obtained from bleached pulp. Residual hemicellulose and lignin imparted amphiphilic surface chemical character to MFLC, which enabled the stabilization of emulsions of styrene in water. Upon suspension polymerization of styrene from the emulsion, polystyrene microspheres coated in MFLC were obtained. When processed into polymer sheets by hot-pressing, improved bending strength and superior impact toughness was observed for the polystyrene-MFLC composite compared to the un-reinforced polystyrene.

Reduced polarity and improved dispersion of microfibrillated cellulose in poly(lactic-acid) provided by residual lignin and hemicellulose

“…Also, MFLC exhibited less hydrophilicity compared to MFC, and was well miscible with nonpolar solvents [14,15]. When compounded with hydrophobic polymeric matrices, MFLC showed better dispersion and improved reinforcement efficiency compared to MFC [14][15][16][17][18].…”

Nanocellulose as a green and sustainable emerging material in energy applications: a review

“…The early NCC/polystyrene composites have been fabricated by oxidizing NCC in the presence of TEMPO catalysts and utilizing dimethylformamide as a typical solvent . Another study recorded the use of nanocellulose whiskers derived from tunicate to reinforce polystyrene, and butyl acrylate copolymer latex up to a loading fraction of 6 vol% had significantly higher mechanical properties than the neat polymer in its electronic state . This approach enabled homogenous dispersion of the NCC into the polystyrene matrix, leading to percolation threshold and improvement in energy adsorption and modulus properties of composites.…”

Effect of the operating conditions on the particle size distribution by the suspension polymerization process

“…5 This material is mainly used for packaging and production of disposable materials, due to its low cost and good processing capacity; the most used form is the expanded one because it is highly required in disposable and construction products, thermal insulators and in the protection of objects packaging. 18 The present research is focused on studying some characteristics of the suspension process to carry out the synthesis of styrene copolymers with polar vinyl monomers such as vinyl acetate (VAc) and butyl acrylate (BA). The reason is that within the industrial sphere, this process is still maintained with a trial-and-error approach with few scientific bases, generating negative repercussions economically.8…”