Study of the poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV)/cellulose whisker nanocomposites

M. Wolcott, L. Jiang, J. Holbery, J. Zhang, E. Morelius

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

Abstract

With a Young's modulus of over 100 GPa and a surface area of several hundred m 2/g, cellulose nano crystals (CNC) have the potential to significantly reinforce polymers at low filler loadings while offering several environmental and performance advantages over traditional nano-fillers such as nano clays and calcium carbonate. As in many nano-fillers, CNC presents significant melt processing challenges. The high surface area and polar nature of the material causes the particles to agglomerate during melt blending. Our research hypothesis was that soluble polymers deposited on the surface of the CNC would facilitate dispersion in thermoplastic polymers. Towards this end, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), a hydrophobic biopolymer, was selected as a candidate matrix material. A stable colloidal dispersion of the CNC was formed in different solutions of water-soluble polymers selected for their mutual solubility in water and PHB. The solutions were then freeze-dried, ground, and compounded with PHB in a twin-screw extruder. The resulting material was injection molded, mechanically evaluated, and characterized for filler dispersion.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationAmerican Society for Composites - 22nd Technical Conference of the American Society for Composites 2007 - Composites
Subtitle of host publicationEnabling a New Era in Civil Aviation
Pages2155-2164
Number of pages10
StatePublished - 2007
Event22nd Technical Conference of the American Society for Composites 2007 - Composites: Enabling a New Era in Civil Aviation - Seattle, WA, United States
Duration: Sep 17 2007Sep 19 2007

Publication series

NameAmerican Society for Composites - 22nd Technical Conference of the American Society for Composites 2007 - Composites: Enabling a New Era in Civil Aviation
Volume3

Other

Other22nd Technical Conference of the American Society for Composites 2007 - Composites: Enabling a New Era in Civil Aviation
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySeattle, WA
Period9/17/079/19/07

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Ceramics and Composites

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