Transparent Epoxy Acrylate Resin Nanocomposites Reinforced with Cellulose Nanocrystals

Abstract

A series of nanocomposites based on cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and epoxy acrylate resin (EA) were prepared using solution casting followed by UV curing. The microstructure of the CNCs and nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The thermal behavior and dynamic mechanical properties of the nanocomposites were determined using dynamical mechanical analysis (DMA) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The transparency of the nanocomposite films was examined by UV–vis transmission spectroscopy. TGA results showed that the thermal stability of EA was affected slightly after incorporation of CNCs. The results from DMA showed that the storage modulus of nanocomposites improved over the entire temperature range compared to pure EA derived from the reinforcing effect of the CNCs. The glass transition temperature of nanocomposites was increased with the increase of CNC loading levels. The ultraviolet–visible spectra of the films showed no obvious absorbance over a range of 400–800 nm, which revealed that the films were transparent.

Anticorrosion Properties of Epoxy/Nanocellulose Nanocomposite Coating

“…However, no change in the peak position of the neat epoxy was observed with the presence of nanocellulose in the nanocomposite systems, which might have been because of the smaller concentration of NC in the epoxy matrix. Pan et al (2012) reported that no obvious peak was seen in the 2 wt.% ENC nanocomposite spectrum because of the low content of nanofiller, and visible peaks were observed in the nanocomposites that were 4 wt.% to 8 wt.% of loaded nanofiller. The disappearance of all of the maxima (2θ = 14.6°, 16.5°, 20.0°, 22.6°, and 34.6°) from the layered structure of the NC indicated the intercalation or exfoliation of the nanofiller to form the nanocomposite with the EP matrix.…”

Enhanced thermal stability of biomedical thermoplastic polyurethane with the addition of cellulose nanocrystals

“…CNC nanocomposites have been produced with a variety of polymer systems, which have demonstrated improved mechanical performance, optical properties, and thermal stability and conductivity . Several studies have used CNCs as a reinforcement phase in TPUs .…”

“…4 CNCs also have good thermal properties (e.g., thermal degradation temperature 260 C, low thermal expansion 5 2 ppm/K), 4,6 low density (1.6 g/cm 3 ), low light scattering, and surfaces that can be easily functionalized. 4 CNC nanocomposites have been produced with a variety of polymer systems, which have demonstrated improved mechanical performance, 4,7,8 optical properties, 9,10 and thermal stability and conductivity. [11][12][13] Several studies have used CNCs as a reinforcement phase in TPUs.…”

UV‐cured cellulose nanofiber composites with moisture durable oxygen barrier properties

“…Altogether, these characteristics are highly relevant to future potential practical applications of NFC nanocomposites, allowing one to envisage adaptation of the laboratory‐scale wet impregnation route to a continuous roll‐to‐roll process (similar to paper forming), taking advantage of the rapidity of the UV cure. There is nevertheless little existing literature on UV‐cured NFC nanocomposites . We have also explored the possibility of chemically modifying the NFC surface in the pre‐formed template nanofibril network by either adsorption of a methacrylated silane coupling agent, or direct grafting of HBP oligomers, with the aim of reducing sensitivity of the oxygen permeability of the final nanocomposites to moisture.…”