Preparing cellulose nanocrystal/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene nanocomposites using the master-batch method

Libo Ma; Yang Zhang; Yujie Meng; Phuriwat Anusonti-Inthra; Siqun Wang

doi:10.1016/j.carbpol.2015.02.062

Preparing cellulose nanocrystal/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene nanocomposites using the master-batch method

Carbohydr Polym. 2015 Jul 10:125:352-9. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2015.02.062. Epub 2015 Mar 6.

Authors

Libo Ma¹, Yang Zhang², Yujie Meng³, Phuriwat Anusonti-Inthra⁴, Siqun Wang⁵

Affiliations

¹ College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China; Department of Materials Engineering, Changzhou Institute of Engineering Technology, Changzhou 213164, China; Center for Renewable Carbon, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA.
² College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China.
³ Center for Renewable Carbon, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA.
⁴ Space Institute, University of Tennessee, Tullahoma, TN 37388, USA.
⁵ Center for Renewable Carbon, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA. Electronic address: swang@utk.edu.

PMID: 25857992
DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2015.02.062

Abstract

The master-batch method provides a simple way to apply cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) as reinforcement in a hydrophobic matrix. The two-stage process includes making high-CNC content (70 wt%) master batch pellets, then mixing acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) and maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene with the master batch pellets to prepare the ABS/CNC nanocomposite in extruder. SEM image indicates that self-assembled CNC nanosheets disperse evenly throughout the polymer matrix. The improved mechanical properties shown in tensile and DMA tests reveal that the CNC combines well with the ABS. TGA results show that the thermal degradation temperature of CNC in the master batch increases because of the protection of the ABS coating. This approach not only improves the dispersion ability and the thermal stability of CNC, but it is also applicable to use with other hydrophobic thermoplastics in industrial scale production.

Keywords: ABS; Cellulose nanocrystal; Composites; Extrusion; Master-batch.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Acrylic Resins / chemistry*
Butadienes / chemistry*
Cellulose / chemistry*
Chemistry Techniques, Synthetic / methods*
Nanocomposites / chemistry*
Nanoparticles / chemistry*
Polystyrenes / chemistry*

Substances

Acrylic Resins
Butadienes
Polystyrenes
ABS resin
Cellulose