Silane modified cellulose nanocrystals and nanocomposites with LLDPE prepared by melt processing

Anžlovar, Alojz; Krajnc, Andraž; Žagar, Ema

doi:10.1007/s10570-020-03181-y

Original Research
Published: 06 May 2020

Silane modified cellulose nanocrystals and nanocomposites with LLDPE prepared by melt processing

Cellulose volume 27, pages 5785–5800 (2020)Cite this article

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Abstract

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were surface modified with 3-isocyanatopropyl triethoxysilane (ICPTS) in tetrahydrofuran at 62–63 °C using triethylamine as a catalyst. ICPTS modified CNCs were further studied as a nanofiller in nanocomposites with linear low-density poly(ethylene) (LLDPE) prepared by melt processing. The modification of CNCs was confirmed by FTIR, solid state NMR, and thermogravimetric analysis. Compared to unmodified CNCs, the ICPTS modified CNCs show enhanced compatibility with LLDPE as shown by SEM. Nanocomposites processed at 70 °C reveal slightly enhanced mechanical properties and this effect was further intensified by increasing the molding temperature up to 120 °C. Under such conditions, a 20% increase in Young’s modulus and 30% increase in tensile strength are achieved compared to neat LLDPE. Differential scanning calorimetry confirms the degree of LLDPE crystallinity, beside the CNC reinforcing network formation, as an important decisive factor in defining the final mechanical properties of LLDPE/CNC nanocomposites. The maximal enhancement of mechanical properties was observed at rather low amount of added ICPTS modified CNC (1–2 wt.%), which is important for practical application as CNCs are still rather expensive nanofiller. By modification of CNC with ICPTS the CNC polarity is reduced, which result in their improved compatibility with LLDPE, while on the other hand they function as a plasticizer and thus reduce the LLDPE crystallization degree, especially at high CNC concentrations.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the financial support from the Slovenian Research Agency (Research Core Fundings No. P2-0145 and P1-0021) and the Slovenian Ministry of Education, Science, and Sport (Program Martina No. OP20.00369). Authors acknowledge the support of Dr. Matjaž Kunaver by providing the raw dispersion of CNCs in the reaction medium.

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Department of Polymer Chemistry and Technology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Alojz Anžlovar & Ema Žagar
Department of Inorganic Chemistry and Technology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Andraž Krajnc

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Alojz Anžlovar
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Andraž Krajnc
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Ema Žagar
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Anžlovar, A., Krajnc, A. & Žagar, E. Silane modified cellulose nanocrystals and nanocomposites with LLDPE prepared by melt processing. Cellulose 27, 5785–5800 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-020-03181-y

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Received: 13 December 2019
Accepted: 20 April 2020
Published: 06 May 2020
Issue Date: July 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-020-03181-y

Keywords

Cellulose nanocrystals
Surface modification
Silane
Carbanylation
Nanocomposites
Linear low-density polyethylene