Abstract
The interfacial interaction between cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and polymeric matrices is important in the development of reinforced polymer nanocomposites. In this work, spin-coated polyamide 6 thin films were reinforced with CNCs and their effects on the mechanical properties are evaluated. Interfacial interactions were improved by using two CNCs surface modifications: (1) TEMPO-oxidation and (2) cationic adsorption of cetrimonium bromide (CTAB). The nanomaterials were characterized using infrared spectroscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, zeta potential, CHNS elemental analysis and x-ray diffraction. The mechanical testing results indicated that the tensile modulus and strength of the films slightly increased by adding 2.5 wt.% of unmodified CNCs and the increase was more noticeable at 5 wt.%. When CTAB was adsorbed unmodified CNCs, no mechanical improvement was observed at 1 and 2.5 wt.%, but an obvious increase of elastic modulus (32%) and tensile strength (71%) was seen at 5 wt.%. Further enhancement of the mechanical properties occurred when TEMPO oxidized CNCs was used as reinforcing agent due to the increase of negative charges induced by the oxidation. At 5 wt.% of TEMPO-oxidized CNCs, an improvement of 131% and 174% was observed in elastic modulus and tensile strength, respectively. Finally, when CTAB was adsorbed to TEMPO-oxidized CNCs, an additional mechanical amelioration was noticed. With only 1 wt.% loading, an increase of 142% and 131% was obtained in elastic modulus and tensile strength, respectively.
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Acknowledgements
The authors gratefully acknowledge the Alberta Innovates and Alberta-Ontario Innovation Program, FPInnovations (SFR02735 Nanocellulose Challenges) and Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Collaborative Research and Development Grants (CRDPJ 500602-16) for financial support.
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AB Conducting experiments, analyzing and interpreting data, manuscript writing. CR Experimental support. ECD Experimental support, manuscript editing. CA Supervising academic. MM Supervising academic.
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Benkaddour, A., Rusin, C., Demir, E.C. et al. Cationic surface functionalization of cellulose nanocrystals and its effect on the mechanical properties of polyamide 6 thin films. Cellulose 30, 7653–7665 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-023-05313-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-023-05313-6