H. F. Pan, L. Song, L. Y. Ma and Y. Hu (2012) Transparent Epoxy Acrylate Resin Nanocomposites Reinforced with Cellulose Nanocrystals. Journal/Industrial &, Engineering Chemistry Research 51 16326-16332. [In English]
Web link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/ie301663q
Keywords: MICROCRYSTALLINE CELLULOSE, WHISKERS, COMPOSITES, POLYURETHANE
Abstract: A series of nanocomposites based on cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and epoxy acrylate resin (EA) were prepared using solution casting followed by UV curing. The microstructure of the CNCs and nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The thermal behavior and dynamic mechanical properties of the nanocomposites were determined using dynamical mechanical analysis (DMA) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The transparency of the nanocomposite films was examined by UV-vis transmission spectroscopy. TGA results showed that the thermal stability of EA was affected slightly after incorporation of CNCs. The results from DMA showed that the storage modulus of nanocomposites improved over the entire temperature range compared to pure EA derived from the reinforcing effect of the CNCs. The glass transition temperature of nanocomposites was increased with the increase of CNC loading levels. The ultraviolet-visible spectra of the films showed no obvious absorbance over a range of 400-800 nm, which revealed that the films were transparent.