Nanocellulose reinforcement of Transparent Composites

Abstract

In this work, we evaluate the impact of nanocellulose reinforcement on transparent composite properties. Due to the small diameter, high modulus, and high strength of cellulose nanocrystals, transparent composites that utilize these materials should show improvement in bulk mechanical performances without a corresponding reduction in optical properties. In this study composites were reinforced using dispersed nanoparticles as well as continuous architecture developed from hydrogel-based processes. Poly(methyl methacrylate) and Bisphenol F resin systems were integrated with nanocellulose of varying crystallinity, fiber size, and surface functionalization. Mechanical performance was determined from dual cantilever dynamic analysis, tensile, and charpy tests following ASTM standards. Optical properties were evaluated for transmittance and scattering behavior, and compared to baseline studies of aqueous and organic solvent dispersions.

Citation

Steele, Joshua; Dong, Hong; Snyder, James F.; Orlicki, Josh A.; Reiner, Richard S.; Rudie, Alan W. 2012. Nanocellulose reinforcement of transparent composites. In: Proceedings of SAMPE. 2012 May 21-24. Baltimore, MD. Covina, CA: Society of Advancement of Material and Process Engineering: 8 pp.