Synthesis and characterization of PMMA‐cellulose nanocomposites by in situ polymerization technique

Abstract

Cellulose nanoparticles (CNPs) were prepared from jute fiber by acid hydrolysis followed by highspeed homogenization. The CNPs were used as fillers in the production of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) nanocomposites by in situ suspension polymerization technique. The suspension polymerization of MMA was carried out in the presence of CNPs, which were dispersed in water medium and in situ PMMA/cellulose nanocomposite granules were formed. PMMA polymer, without any filler, was also prepared by similar suspension polymerization technique. PMMA and PMMA/cellulose nanocomposite films were prepared by solution casting method. Viscosity average molecular weights of neat PMMA and the PMMA extracted from PMMA/cellulose nanocomposite granules were determined by viscometric method and average molecular mass of PMMA extracted from PMMA/cellulose nanocomposites was found to be reduced than that of neat PMMA. Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was performed to find out any chemical interaction between polymer matrix and the CNPs. X-ray diffraction study and differential scanning calorimetry were done to investigate the structures of the nanocomposite films and the glass transition temperature was found to be lower in the nanocomposite than that in the virgin polymer. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy were done to examine the morphology of the films. Such an in situ suspension polymerization technique for the preparation of PMMA/cellulose nanocomposites can be very useful to prepare tailor-made materials.

Poly(methyl methacrylate)‐grafted cellulose nanocrystals: One‐step synthesis, nanocomposite preparation, and characterization

“…Additionally, the melt‐mixed composites exhibited a slight increase in stiffness with particle loading, whereas stiffness decreased with increasing particle loading for the ball‐milled composites. These results are consistent with previous reports of solvent cast nanocellulose/PMMA composites which show no statistically significant change in stiffness or a small increase in stiffness with CNC loading . Substantial mechanical improvements were only observed above 0.03 g/g (3 wt %) loading or even 0.17 g/g (17 wt %) loading for electrospun composites, implying that our loadings may be below the onset of significant reinforcement by CNCs .…”

“…In 2010, Liu et al were the first to report PMMA/CNC composites by sonicating up to 0.1 g/g (10 wt %) CNCs and PMMA in DMF and preparing films by solvent casting. Since then, Sain and colleagues prepared similar nanocomposites using in situ suspension polymerization of PMMA in the presence of CNCs and ex situ dispersion techniques, followed by solvent casting (from chloroform). Generally, they report a weak interface between CNCs and PMMA but a small increase in T g of the composites and improved mechanical properties at high temperatures, similar to Kiziltas et al whose solvent cast composites from acetone .…”

Three‐Dimensional Printing of Methacrylic Grafted Cellulose Nanocrystal‐Reinforced Nanocomposites With Improved Properties

“…7b and c. The former peak corresponds to the decomposition of terminal vinyl chain‐end units and the latter peak corresponds to random scission initiation result from the cleavage of the most stable bonds between units linked head‐to‐tail . When modified or unmodified CNC was added into resin matrix, a small new peak appeared around 250°C, meaning little thermal stability degradation probably due to decomposition of the unstable sulfonate group containing on the CNC/CNC‐ g ‐MA .…”

Effect of Sm3+ substitution on structural, optical and dielectric properties of hydroxypropyl cellulose films

“…Sm 3? ion exhibits both trivalent and divalent valence states [8]. In order to reduce the environment pollution caused by polymers, attempts are being made to modify their structures by using biodegradable materials.…”