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Well‐dispersed polyurethane/cellulose nanocrystal nanocomposites synthesized by a solvent‐free procedure in bulk
Author(s) -
Kupka Vojtěch,
Zhou Qi,
Ansari Farhan,
Tang Hu,
Šlouf Miroslav,
Vojtová Lucy,
Berglund Lars A.,
Jančář Josef
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
polymer composites
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.577
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1548-0569
pISSN - 0272-8397
DOI - 10.1002/pc.24748
Subject(s) - materials science , polyurethane , nanocomposite , composite material , ultimate tensile strength , ethylene glycol , glass transition , cellulose , agglomerate , dispersion (optics) , chemical engineering , polymer , engineering , physics , optics
Polyurethane (PU) nanocomposites utilizing cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) as nanofiller and amorphous PU matrix were synthesized in a novel solvent‐free bulk process. A green nanofiller, CNCs, was studied as reinforcement and was further modified by grafting poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) on the CNC surface (CNC‐PEG). Transmission electron microscopy revealed an excellent dispersion of the PEGylated CNC nanoparticles in the PU matrix, whereas as‐received CNCs formed agglomerates. The results indicated strong improvements in tensile properties with Young's modulus increasing up to 50% and strength up to 25% for both, PU/CNC and PU/CNC‐PEG nanocomposites. The enhanced tensile modulus was attributed to stiff particle reinforcement together with an increase in glass transition temperature. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:E456–E465, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers