Abstract
In this work, composites of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and various loadings of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were prepared exploiting different methods. Besides, the microstructure, rheological, mechanical, thermal and electrical properties of the obtained materials were thoroughly investigated. As far as the mechanical behavior of the formulated systems is concerned, CNC-reinforced composites exhibited improved values of Young’s modulus and yielding strength with respect to the unfilled UHMWPE. In particular, the maximum value of ultimate tensile strength was achieved for the systems containing 0.1 wt% of CNCs, and then progressively decreased with increasing the particle loading. As assessed by XRD and DSC analyses, CNC-containing composites showed higher crystallinity degree as compared to the unfilled UHMWPE, suggesting a nucleating effect of embedded CNCs. Morphological and rheological analyses demonstrated that the preparation method involving a solution mixing step is more effective than dry method in promoting the achievement of a peculiar morphology, in which the embedded particles are preferentially located in the interfacial region between UHMWPE grains. Finally, electrical and thermal measurements documented that UHMWPE/CNC composites obtained by solution mixing showed slightly higher thermal conductivity and lower volume resistivity in comparison with the composites prepared by dry method, highlighting that the proper selection of the processing method plays a key role in determining the material final performances.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Data availability
Raw data can be obtained from the authors on request.
References
Ago M, Endo T, Hirotsu T (xxxx) Crystalline transformation of native cellulose from cellulose I to cellulose II polymorph by a ball-milling method with a specific amount of water. Cellulose 11:163–167
Blythe AR (1984) Electrical resistivity measurements of polymer materials. Polym Test 4:195–209. https://doi.org/10.1016/0142-9418(84)90012-6
Bras J, Viet D, Bruzzese C, Dufresne A (2011) Correlation between stiffness of sheets prepared from cellulose whiskers and nanoparticles dimensions. Carbohydr Polym 84:211–215. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2010.11.022
Bunn CW (1939) The crystal structure of long-chain normal paraffin hydrocarbons. The “shape” of the <CH2 group. Trans Faraday Soc 35:482–491. https://doi.org/10.1039/TF9393500482
Chen Y, Qi Y, Tai Z, Yan X, Zhu F, Xue Q (2012) Preparation, mechanical properties and biocompatibility of graphene oxide/ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene composites. Europ Polym J 48:1026–1033. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2012.03.011
Ching YC et al (2016) Rheological properties of cellulose nanocrystal-embedded polymer composites: a review. Cellulose 23:1011–1030
Dintcheva NT, Arrigo R, Carroccio S, Curcuruto G, Guenzi M, Gambarotti C, Filippone G (2016) Multi-functional polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane-functionalized carbon nanotubes for photo-oxidative stable ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene-based nanocomposites. Europ Polym J 75:525–537. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2016.01.002
Dorigato A, Pegoretti A, Dzenis Y (2013) Filler aggregation as a reinforcement mechanism in polymer nanocomposites. Mech Mater 61:79–90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mechmat.2013.02.004
Dufresne A (2012) Nanocellulose: from nature to high performance tailored materials Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
Duraccio D, Strongone V, Malucelli G, Auriemma F, De Rosa C, Mussano FD, Genova T, Faga MG (2019a) The role of alumina-zirconia loading on the mechanical and biological properties of UHMWPE for biomedical applications. Compos Part B Eng 164:800–808. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2019.01.097
Duraccio D, Strongone V, Faga MG, Auriemma F, Mussano FD, Genova T, Malucelli G (2019b) The role of different dry-mixing techniques on the mechanical and biological behavior of UHMWPE/alumina-zirconia composites for biomedical applications. Europ Polym J 120:109274. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2019.109274
Di Maro M, Duraccio D, Malucelli M, Faga MG (2021) High density polyethylene composites containing alumina-toughened zirconia particles: Mechanical and tribological behavior. Compos B Eng 217:108892
Favier V, Canova GR, Cavaillè JY, Chanzy H, Dufresne A, Gauthier C (1995) Nanocomposite materials from latex and cellulose whiskers. Polym Adv Technol 6:351–355. https://doi.org/10.1002/pat.1995.220060514
Feng CP, Chen L, Wei F, Ni NY, Chen J, Yang W (2016) Highly thermally conductive UHMWPE/graphite composites with segregated structures. RSC Adv 6:65709–65713. https://doi.org/10.1039/C6RA13921C
French AD, Santiago CM (2013) Cellulose polymorphy, crystallite size, and the Segal crystallinity. Cellulose 20:583–588. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-012-9833-y
Garvey CJ, Parker IH, Simon GP (2005) On the interpretation of X-ray diffraction powder patterns in terms of the nanostructure of cellulose I fibers. Macromol Chem Phys 206:1568–1575. https://doi.org/10.1002/macp.200500008
Gu J, Guo Y, Lv Z, Geng W, Zhang Q (2015a) Highly thermally conductive POSS-g-SiCp/UHMWPE composites with excellent dielectric properties and thermal stabilities. Compos Part A Appl Sci 78:95–101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2015.08.004
Gu J, Li N, Tian L, Lv Z, Zhang Q (2015b) High thermal conductivity graphite nanoplatelet/UHMWPE nanocomposites. RSC Adv 5:36334–36339. https://doi.org/10.1039/C5RA03284A
Guo Y, Cao C, Luo F, Huang B, Xiao L, Qian Q, Chen Q (2019) Largely enhanced thermal conductivity and thermal stability of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene composites via BN/CNT synergy. RSC Adv 9:40800–40809. https://doi.org/10.1039/C9RA08416A
Gustavsson M, Karawacki E, Gustafsson SE (1994) Thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, and specific heat of thin samples from transient measurements with hot disk sensors. Rev Sci Instrum 65:3856–3859. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1145178
Gürgen S (2019) Wear performance of UHMWPE based composites including nano-sized fumed silica. Compos Part B Eng 173:106967. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2019.106967
Hamedi MM, Hajian A, Fall AB, Hakansson K, Salajkova M, Lundell F, Wagberg L, Berglund LA (2014) Highly conducting, strong nanocomposites based on nanocellulose-assisted aqueous dispersions of single-wall carbon nanotubes. ACS Nano 8:2467–2476. https://doi.org/10.1021/nn4060368
Hussain M, Naqvi RA, Abbas N, Khan SM, Nawaz S, Hussain A, Zahra N, Khalid MW (2020) Ultra-high-molecular-weight-polyethylene [UHMWPE] as a promising polymer material for biomedical applications: a concise review. Polymers 12:323. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12020323
Kargarzadeh H, Ahmad I, Abdullah I, Dufresne A, Zainudin SY, Sheltami RM (2012) Effects of hydrolysis conditions on the morphology, crystallinity, and thermal stability of cellulose nanocrystals extracted from kenaf bast fibers. Cellulose 19:855–866. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-012-9684-6
Khumalo VM, Karger-Kocsis J, Thomann R (2011) Polyethylene/synthetic boehmite alumina nanocomposites: structure, mechanical, and perforation impact properties. J Mater Sci 46:422–428
Lombardo G, Bracco P, Thornhill TS, Bellare A (2016) Crystallization pathways to alter the nanostructure and tensile properties of non-irradiated and irradiated, vitamin E stabilized UHMWPE. Europ Polym J 75:354–362. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2015.12.028
Mariano M, El Kissi N, Dufresne A (2014) Cellulose nanocrystals and related nanocomposites: review of some properties and challenges. J Polym Sci Part B Polym Phys 52:791–806. https://doi.org/10.1002/polb.23490
Martínez-Morlanes MJ, Castell P, Martínez-Nogués V, Martinez MT, Alonso PJ, Puértolas JA (2011) Effects of gamma-irradiation on UHMWPE/MWNT nanocomposites. Compos Sci Technol 71:282–288. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2010.11.013
Michler GH, Kausch-Blecken von Schmeling HH (2013) The physics and micro-mechanics of nano-voids and nano-particles in polymer combinations. Polym 54:3131–3144
Nishiyama Y, Langan P, Chanzy H (2002) Crystal structure and hydrogen-bonding system in cellulose Ib from synchrotron X-ray and neutron fiber diffraction. J Am Chem Soc 124:9074–9082. https://doi.org/10.1021/ja0257319
Pang W, Ni Z, Chen G, Huang G, Huang H, Zhao Y (2015) Mechanical and thermal properties of graphene oxide/ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene nanocomposites. RSC Adv 5:63063–63072. https://doi.org/10.1039/C5RA11826C
Plumlee K, Schwartz CJ (2009) Improved wear resistance of orthopaedic UHMWPE by reinforcement with zirconium particles. Wear 267:710–717. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wear.2008.11.028
Reddy SK, Kumar S, Varadarajan KM, Marpu PR, Gupta TK, Choosri M (2018) Strain and damage-sensing performance of biocompatible smart CNT/UHMWPE nanocomposites. Mater Sci Eng C 92:957–968. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msec.2018.07.029
Ren PG, Hou SY, Ren F, Zhang ZP, Sun ZF, Xu L (2016) The influence of compression molding techniques on thermal conductivity of UHMWPE/BN and UHMWPE/[BN+MWCNT] hybrid composites with segregated structure. Compos Part A Appl Sci 90:13–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2016.06.019
Rietveld HM (1967) Line profiles of neutron powder-diffraction peaks for structure refinement. Acta Crystallogr 22:151–152. https://doi.org/10.1107/S0365110X67000234
Rodrigues MM, Fontoura CP, Maddalozzo AED, Leidens LM, Quevedo HG, dos Santos SK, da Silva CJ, Fassini Michels A, Figueroa CA, Aguzzoli C (2020) Ti, Zr and Ta coated UHMWPE aiming surface improvement for biomedical purposes. Compos Part B Eng 189:107909. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2020.107909
Roman M, Winter WT (2004) Effect of sulphate groups from sulfuric acid hydrolysis on the thermal degradation behavior of bacterial cellulose. Biomacromol 5:1671–1677. https://doi.org/10.1021/bm034519+
Ruan S, Gao P, Yu TX (2006) Ultra-strong gel-spun UHMWPE fibers reinforced using multiwalled carbon nanotubes. Polymer 47:1604–1611. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2006.01.020
Russo P, Patti A, Petrarca C, Acierno S (2018) Thermal conductivity and dielectric properties of polypropylene-based hybrid compounds containing multiwalled carbon nanotubes. J Appl Polym Sci 135:46470. https://doi.org/10.1002/app.46470
Sattari M, Naimi-Jamal MR, Khavandi A (2014) Interphase evaluation and nano-mechanical responses of UHMWPE/SCF/nano-SiO2 hybrid composites. Polym Test 38:26–34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymertesting.2014.06.006
Schwanninger M, Rodrigues JC, Pereira H, Hinterstoisser B (2004) Effects of short-time vibratory ball milling on the shape of FT-IR spectra of wood and cellulose. Vib Spectrosc 36:23–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vibspec.2004.02.003
Segal L, Creely JJ, Martin AE, Conrad CM (1959) An empirical method for estimating the degree of crystallinity of native cellulose using the X-ray diffractometer. Text Res J 29:786–794. https://doi.org/10.1177/004051755902901003
Shanmugam L, Feng X, Yang J (2019) Enhanced interphase between thermoplastic matrix and UHMWPE fiber sized with CNT-modified polydopamine coating. Compos Sci Technol 174:212–220. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2019.03.001
Shojaeiarani J et al (2021) Cellulose nanocrystal based composites: a review. Compos Part C Open Access 5:100164
Suñer S, Joffe R, Tipper JL, Emami N (2015) Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene/graphene oxide nanocomposites: thermal, mechanical and wettability characterisation. Compos Part B Eng 78:185–191. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2015.03.075
Thygesen A, Oddershede J, Lilholt H, Thomsen AB, Ståhl K (2005) On the determination of crystallinity and cellulose content in plant fibre. Cellulose 12:563–576. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-005-9001-8
Wang S, Feng Q, Sun J, Gao F, Fan W, Zhang Z, Li X, Jiang X (2016a) Nanocrystalline cellulose improves the biocompatibility and reduces the wear debris of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene via weak binding. ACS Nano 10:298–306. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.5b04393
Wang X, Lu H, Feng C, Ni H, Chen J (2020) Facile method to fabricate highly thermally conductive UHMWPE/BN composites with the segregated structure for thermal management. Plast, Rubber Compos 49:196–203. https://doi.org/10.1080/14658011.2020.1726143
Wang Y, Qiao X, Wan J, Xiao Y, Fan X (2016b) Preparation of AlN microspheres/UHMWPE composites for insulating thermal conductors. RSC Adv 6:80262–80267. https://doi.org/10.1039/C6RA18228C
Wang ZG, Gong F, Yu WC, Huang YF, Zhu L, Lei J, Xu JZ, Li ZM (2018) Synergetic enhancement of thermal conductivity by constructing hybrid conductive network in the segregated polymer composites. Compos Sci Technol 162:7–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2018.03.016
Wu X, Liu W, Zhang RL, C, (2020) Highly thermally conductive boron nitride@UHMWPE composites with segregated structure. E-Polymers 20:510–518
Xie XL, Tang CY, Chan KYY, Wu XC, Tsui CP, Cheung CY (2003) Wear performance of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene/quartz composites. Biomaterials 24:1889–1896. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0142-9612(02)00610-5
Xue Y, Wu W, Jacobs O, Schadel B (2006) Tribological behaviour of UHMWPE/HDPE blends reinforced with multi-wall carbon nanotubes. Polym Test 25:221–229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymertesting.2005.10.005
Zhang Z, Wu QL, Song KL, Ren SX, Lei TZ, Zhang QG (2015) Using cellulose nanocrystals as a sustainable additive to enhance hydrophilicity, mechanical and thermal properties of Poly[Vinylidene Fluoride]/Poly[Methyl Methacrylate] blend. ACS Sust Chem Eng 3:574–582. https://doi.org/10.1021/sc500792c
zhou W, Chen Q, Sui X, Dong L, Wang Z, (2015) Enhanced thermal conductivity and dielectric properties of Al/β-SiC w/PVDF composites. Compos Part A Appl Sci 71:184–191. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2015.01.024
Zhou W, Qi S, Li H, Shao S (2007) Study on insulating thermal conductive BN/HDPE composites. Thermochim Acta 452:36–42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tca.2006.10.018
Zhou Y, Liu F, Wang H (2017) Novel organic–inorganic composites with high thermal conductivity for electronic packaging applications: a key issue review. Polym Compos 38:803–813. https://doi.org/10.1002/pc.2364
Zhou Y, Wang H, Wang L, Yu K, Lin Z, He L, Bai Y (2012) Fabrication and characterization of aluminum nitride polymer matrix composites with high thermal conductivity and low dielectric constant for electronic packaging. Mater Sci Eng B 177:892–896. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mseb.2012.03.056
Funding
This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Human and animal rights
This research does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Supplementary Information
Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Duraccio, D., Arrigo, R., Strongone, V. et al. Rheological, mechanical, thermal and electrical properties of UHMWPE/CNC composites. Cellulose 28, 10953–10967 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-021-04227-5
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-021-04227-5