Production and characterization of cellulose nanocrystals/ acrylonitrile butadiene styrene nanocomposites

Abstract

The use of cellulose nanocrystals as reinforcement in polymers brings challenges mainly related to the dry thermal processing, and their adhesion and dispersion in the matrix. In this work, cellulose nanocrystals from sugarcane bagasse was used as reinforcement in nanocomposites of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene. Thus, the main objective of this work is to evaluate the mechanical and thermal performance of cellulose nanocrystals/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (CNC/ABS) nanocomposites as a function of cellulose nanocrystals type and content. More specifically, to study the effects of the chemical interaction between acrylonitrile groups from ABS and hydroxyl groups from cellulose. The ABS and the nanocomposites, reinforced with 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 wt% nanocrystals, were obtained by extrusion and then injection molded to obtain specimens for testing. Mechanical testing, dynamic mechanical analysis, rheology and thermogravimetric analysis were used for characterization. The main results are related to increased impact strength, elastic modulus, storage modulus and viscosity of the nanocomposite compared to ABS. However, tensile strength and thermal stability decreased. Therefore, if higher tensile properties are needed, the CNC220/ABS nanocomposites should be preferred whereas, for impact, CNC150/ABS. Thus, there is a general improvement in properties up to 0.5% cellulose nanocrystals content, which is followed by a loss in properties for higher content.

Surface Modification of Cellulose Nanocrystals with Lactone Monomers via Plasma-Induced Polymerization and Their Application in ABS Nanocomposites

“…This may be associated with the fact that, since there was a lower affinity for ABS, aggregates of cellulose nanocrystals may have formed with the potential to increase Young’s modulus [ 35 ]. Finally, all nanocomposites showed a decrease in impact resistance as the concentration of m -CNC increased, as seen in Figure 9 b; these results coincide with that reported in the literature, [ 36 ] which shows that the resulting materials increased their rigidity due to the addition of m -CNC, as a consequence of their high Young’s modulus [ 37 ].…”

Brazilian Agro-industrial Wastes as Potential Textile and Other Raw Materials: a Sustainable Approach

“…In bagasse format, sugarcane presents a greater diversity of technology conversions for applicability for final use of cellulose nanocrystals (Fig. 6 ) (Bilatto et al 2020 ; de Oliveira Júnior et al 2020 ; Leão et al 2017 , 2020 ; Oliveira et al 2016 ; Pereira and Arantes 2018 , 2020 ). Figure 6 also highlights studies in which the plant works as a matrix for other textile fibers such as sisal for new biodegradable composites (de Castro et al 2021 ; Satyanarayana et al 2009 ); fibers are commonly used for reinforcement in composites (Cardoso et al 2017 ; De Lemos et al 2017 ; Dos Santos et al 2018 ; Ferreira et al 2019 ; Mulinari et al 2012 ); production of multifunctional biocatalysts (Bilal et al 2020 ; Silveira et al 2014a , b ); enzymes such as peroxidase (Queiroz et al 2018 ), amylase (Orlandelli et al 2017 ), cellulase (Do Nascimento and Coelho 2011 ), hemicellulase (Camassola & Dillon 2007 ), and xylanase (L. A. Oliveira et al 2006 ); and dye adsorption (Cunha et al 2018 ; B. C. S. Ferreira et al 2015 ; Giusto et al 2017 ; Meili et al 2019 ; Piffer et al 2020 ).…”

Current international research into cellulose as a functional nanomaterial for advanced applications

“…Several studies have explored the use of dried nanocellulose powders in extrusion processing . , e.g., CNCs and CNFs [303][304][305][306][307]. The addition of dried nanocellulose particles is easier to feed, especially if high concentrations are of interest, but there are no studies showing that dry CNCs can be dispersed in melt compounding.…”

“…Despite being time consuming and energy demanding, both processes produced composites with improved mechanical properties. Leao et al [306] produced composites consisting of an acrylonitrile butadiene (ABS) matrix and 0.5, 1, and 1.5 wt.% CNCs with different lengths (150 and 220 nm) by twin-screw extrusion and injection molding. The CNCs were shown to increase the tensile modulus of ABS without increasing its strength, and the composite containing 0.5 wt.% CNCs (220 nm) exhibited the highest modulus.…”