Tailoring Nanocellulose-Cellulose Triacetate Interfaces by Varying the Surface Grafting Density of Poly(ethylene glycol).

ABSTRACT: Careful design of the structures of interfaces between nanofillers and polymer matrices can significantly improve the mechanical and thermal properties of the overall nanocomposites. Here, we investigate how the grafting density on the surface of nanocelluloses influences the properties of nanocellulose/cellulose triacetate (CTA) composites. The surface of nanocellulose, which was prepared by 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl oxidation, was modified with long poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) chains at different grafting densities. The PEG-grafted nanocelluloses were homogeneously embedded in CTA matrices. The mechanical and thermal properties of the nanocomposites were characterized. Increasing the grafting density caused the soft PEG chains to form denser and thicker layers around the rigid

SUBMITTER: Soeta H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6645492 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature