Surface modification of cellulose nanocrystals with different acid anhydrides for improved dispersion in poly(butylene succinate)

摘要: Hydrophilic cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) are typically poorly dispersed in non-polar polymer matrices and, hence, a method for the surface modification of CNC is developed improving this dispersion. This included an esterification reaction with acetic anhydride, butyric and caproic anhydride. The particle size distribution (range sizes: 80–310 nm) was determined. SEM-EDAX indicated that (i) structure maintained even after incorporation acid anhydride (ii) carbon C content modified-CNC higher than pure CNC. chemical identified via FT-IR 13C NMR spectroscopy. contact angle water methylene iodide measured. energy lower Thermal-property measurements initial decomposition temperature (based on 5 wt%) slightly Poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) composites were obtained by mixing into PBS matrix simple melt blending double screw. PBS/modified-CNC investigated DSC XRD. Tensile testing tensile modulus improved gradually increasing content, whereas elongation at fracture decreased.