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Fabrication and characterization of emulsified and freeze-dried epoxy/cellulose nanofibril nanocomposite foam

Cellulose volume 26, pages 1769–1780 (2019)Cite this article

Abstract

Utilization of cellulose nanofibril (CNF) material for light weight and high strength structural composites has attracted considerable attention in the recent years. CNF aerogels have a microporous structure that could have potential properties, such as ultra-low density, high porosity, high specific surface area, high flexibility, and low thermal conductivity. However, producing such a product is still somewhat problematic. In this study, an epoxy/CNF (EP/CNF) nanocomposite foam with micro-rib structures has been developed using emulsification combined with freeze-dried processes. The microstructures of these new EP/CNF composite foams were observed using a scanning electron microscope. The surface morphology showed that CNF fiber walls were uniformly sealed with epoxy resin after curing. Mechanical properties, water resistance, and thermal stability of the EP/CNF composites foams were tested using the compression test, water absorption test, and thermogravimetric analysis. The results showed that the CNFs played an important role in forming a skeleton like structure within these composite foams. The amount of EP in the EP/CNF emulsions had significant effect on the compressive properties and water resistance. Samples fabricated with higher epoxy content had higher compressive properties, better water resistance, and thermal stability. The epoxy/CNF nanocomposites properties were significantly improved as compared to pure CNF aerogel. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of the nanocomposites was influenced by the EP/CNF composition. The mechanical and physical properties of EP/CNF nanocomposite foams could be optimized via changing the weight ratio of epoxy resin in EP/CNF emulsion according to the demanding of specific application.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, WI, 53726, USA

    Jinghao Li, Qiangu Yan & Zhiyong Cai

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  1. Jinghao Li
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  2. Qiangu Yan
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  3. Zhiyong Cai
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Correspondence to Zhiyong Cai.

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Li, J., Yan, Q. & Cai, Z. Fabrication and characterization of emulsified and freeze-dried epoxy/cellulose nanofibril nanocomposite foam. Cellulose 26, 1769–1780 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-018-2164-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-018-2164-x

Keywords

  • Emulsification
  • Cellulose
  • Epoxy
  • Characteristic
  • Foam
  • Properties