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Thermoplastic composites of polyamide‐12 reinforced by cellulose nanofibers with cationic surface modification
Author(s) -
Semba Takeshi,
Ito Akihiro,
Kitagawa Kazuo,
Nakatani Takeshi,
Yano Hiroyuki,
Sato Akihiro
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.40920
Subject(s) - materials science , composite material , heat deflection temperature , izod impact strength test , flexural strength , flexural modulus , nanocomposite , cellulose , dynamic mechanical analysis , thermoplastic , thermoplastic polyurethane , polymer , ultimate tensile strength , elastomer , chemical engineering , engineering
Cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) have many useful properties, including high strength and low thermal expansion, and are also environmentally friendly, readily renewable, safe, and biodegradable. The focus of this study was the development of lightweight thermoplastic polymer composites with good mechanical properties based on the incorporation of CNFs that have undergone surface pretreatment with a cationic reagent. The polyamide (PA12) was mixed with surface‐treated CNFs using a twin screw extruder and the resulting pellets were injection molded. The Izod impact strength without notch of CNF‐based composites exceeded that of composites incorporating organophilic montmorillonite (OMMT), a representative nanocomposite material. When the Izod impact test without notch, the impact hammer was stopped by the specimen with incorporation of surface treated CNF. Furthermore, the bending modulus and strength were equal to or greater than that of OMMT composites. The heat distortion temperature was improved as 33°C from neat PA12, and moreover improved as 29°C from OMMT composites. Cationic pretreatment of the CNF surfaces was found to increase the dispersion of the fibers and also to greatly improve the mechanical and thermal properties of the composites. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131 , 40920.