A simple method for the melt extrusion of cellulose nano-crystal reinforced hydrophobic polymer

Kaouther Ben Azouz (1) , Elaine C Ramires (1) , Winke van den Fonteyne (1) , Nadia El Kissi (1) , Alain Dufresne (2)

1 Grenoble INP - Institut polytechnique de Grenoble - Grenoble Institute of Technology
2 LGP2 - Laboratoire Génie des procédés papetiers

The rheological properties of a dispersion of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) in an aqueous solution of polyoxyethylene (PEO) have been investigated. A peculiar behavior is reported. Upon adding CNC, the viscosity of the suspension first decreases and then increases. Adsorption of PEO chains on the surface of the nanoparticles has been suspected. Freeze-drying of this PEO-adsorbed CNC dispersion was performed, and the ensuing lyophilizate was extruded with low density polyethylene. Compared to neat CNC-based nanocomposites, both improved dispersibility and thermal stability were observed. This simple and physical method constitutes an approach of choice for the melt processing of CNC-based nanocomposites with a hydrophobic polymeric matrix applicable at the industrial scale.

Domaines: Polymères

Kaouther Ben Azouz, Elaine C Ramires, Winke van den Fonteyne, Nadia El Kissi, Alain Dufresne. A simple method for the melt extrusion of cellulose nano-crystal reinforced hydrophobic polymer. ACS Macro Letters, 2011, 1 (1), pp.236-240. ⟨10.1021/mz2001737⟩. ⟨hal-02098618⟩