Electric field-assisted patterning of cellulose whisker-reinforced polymer nanocomposites

Sanjay V. Kalidindi, Zoubeida Ounaies, Hamid Kaddami

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Cellulose whiskers (CWs) have attracted a lot of interest due to their potential to improve the mechanical and piezoelectric response of polymers. In addition, CWs are high aspect ratio particles; by aligning them in polymers, improved and anisotropic physical properties could be achieved. In a previous study, we investigated alignment of microscale CWs in silicone oil. OMs showed that alignment of CWs increased with frequency up to 500 mHz and then decreased. In the current study, we investigate the alignment of CWs in a solution of PVAc and DMF. CWs were dispersed as small bundles (<50μm). An optimum alignment with chain formation was achieved at 150Vpp and 50 KHz. In a separate study, we investigated the conditions to prepare composites of unfunctionalized and functionalized CWS in PVAc. Resulting composites were transparent and flexible. In order to achieve dispersion at the nanoscale, the CWs were treated with sulfuric acid, resulting in sulfate group functionalization. SEM showed the functionalized CWs were well dispersed, where the bundle size was 60 nm. Next, we will process aligned CW/PVAc composites by thermally curing the structure in presence of electric field. Random and aligned CW/PVAc composites will be characterized and compared to the above microcomposites. The goal is to achieve a flexible piezoelectric composite.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationSAMPE 2010 Conference and Exhibition "New Materials and Processes for a New Economy"
StatePublished - 2010
EventSAMPE 2010 Conference and Exhibition "New Materials and Processes for a New Economy" - Seattle, WA, United States
Duration: May 17 2010May 20 2010

Publication series

NameInternational SAMPE Symposium and Exhibition (Proceedings)
ISSN (Print)0891-0138

Other

OtherSAMPE 2010 Conference and Exhibition "New Materials and Processes for a New Economy"
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySeattle, WA
Period5/17/105/20/10

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Materials Science
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Electric field-assisted patterning of cellulose whisker-reinforced polymer nanocomposites'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this