Thermoplastic Polymer-Nanocellulose Nanocomposites

Bulota et al. [186] prepared nanocomposite film from NFC-PVA at various NFC loading. They stated that the highest modulus was obtained at a solution concentration of 4 up to 5% (w/w) of NFC. As they stated, reinforcement effects and an increase in the dispersion viscosity were obvious at 5% NFC loading, implying that the percolation phenomenon took place at this loading. 

Furthermore, many other thermoplastic polymers have been used with CNC to produce nanocomposite. The functionalized CNC from ramie, which was grafted by organic acid chlorides, reinforced low-density polyethylene (LDPE) nanocomposites studied by Junior de Menezes et al. [182]. 

Native and surface-trimethylsilylated CNC were employed as the particulate phase in nanocomposites with a cellulose acetate butyrate matrix to improve the mechanical properties of polymers and to enhance adhesion between the particulate and matrix phase in composites [187]. Poly(oxyethylene)-based polymer electrolytes should be used above their melting temperature to display appropriate conductivity. Unfortunately, at this temperature the mechanical properties were very poor. In this regard, Azizi Samir et al. [188] evaluated the effect of CNC extracted from timicate to improve the mechanical properties of poly(oxyethylene) (PEO)-based nanocomposite electrolytes above its melting temperature. The SEM fracture surface of CNC-PEO 

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Nanocellulose and its derivatives can be processed into different forms. Bacterial celulose is one such important type of nanocellulose. It has been processed into nanofibers for different applications. Figure 1.8 shows the different applications of cellulose acetate nanofibers [51]. Chapters 2 and 4 discuss the different perspectives of bacterial cellulose-based materials and their different applications. In these chapters the authors discuss in detail a vast collection of BC nanocomposites prepared using different polymer matrices such as natural polymers and thermoplastic matrices. In addition to this,... 

In this chapter, first we will discuss the cellulose and nanocellulose structures. Later, isolation and characterization of cellulose nanofiber and nanocrystal will be addressed. Drying and modification will also be presented in the chapter. At the end, nanocomposite production from nanocellulose with thermoplastic and thermoset polymers will be discussed. 

Applications of all the above nanocellulose-reinforced nanocomposites with thermoplastic and thermoset polymers are mainly considered to be in paper and packaging products, construction materials, automobiles, furniture, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Figure 11.32 shows the application of nanobiocomposites. 

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