Water-Based Processing of Fiberboard of Acrylic Resin Composites Reinforced With Cellulose Wood Pulp and Cellulose Nanofibrils

Abstract

Despite the great potential of cellulose wood pulp and cellulose nanofibrils as reinforcing filler in thermoplastics, its use is limited due to its tendency to form agglomerates and due to its high hydrophilic character. Here we describe fiberboard composites with high contents of wood pulp or cellulose nanofibrils, and a resin of poly (styrene-methyl-methacrylate-acrylic acid) used as water-based emulsion. Cellulose wood pulp and cellulose nanofibrils were used directly in the form of water suspensions. The method is based on the flocculation of the polymer emulsion followed by agglomeration of a mixture of the polymer emulsion and cellulose suspension, leading to the co-precipitation of the composite material, which can be easily separated from the water phase. Composites with acrylic polymer/cellulose fibers in the proportions of 75:25, 50:50 and 25:75 wt% were prepared. Composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and water absorption tests. SEM analysis revealed a very good dispersion of the fibers without evidence of agglomeration, which led to superior mechanical properties. These results showed the effectiveness of the methodology and the potential of cellulose wood pulp and CNF as reinforcement fillers in fiberboard composites and any other high fiber-content materials.

Fine Tuning of the Mechanical Properties of Bio-Based PHB/Nanofibrillated Cellulose Biocomposites to Prevent Implant Failure Due to the Bone/Implant Stress Shielding Effect

“…PEG 4000 (PEG, synthesis grade) was purchased from Scharlau and PEG 1900 monomethyl ether (mPEG) was purchased from Alfa Aesar (Kandel, Germany), and both were used as received. Nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) in aqueous suspension, obtained from eucalyptus bleached kraft wood pulp (dry matter content: 3.2 wt.%, negligible lignin content, hemicellulose content: 10–15%, fiber diameters of 10–50 nm and a few micrometers in length), was supplied by Suzano Papel e Celulose S.A. (Sao Paulo, Brazil) [ 24 , 25 ]. Chloroform (CHCl 3 , HPLC grade), methanol (MeOH, ≥99.8%), titanium (IV) butoxide (TBT, 97%), toluene (HPLC grade), and celite (Standard Super Cel ® fine) were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich (Milan, Italy) and used as received without further purification.…”

Synthesis and Characterization of Aminosilane Grafted Cellulose Nanocrystal Modified Formaldehyde-Free Decorative Paper and its CO2 Adsorption Capacity

“…Water-based acrylic resin has the advantages of high gloss, weatherability, chemical resistance, and convenience. In recent years, it has shown a relatively rapid development rate [24,25]. Meanwhile, with the continuous promotion of the concept of green environmental protection, water-borne coatings with green environmental friendliness continue to get attention.…”