Structural Properties and Potential Applications of Cellulose Nanofiber from Bamboo Shoot Shell

Bamboo shoot shell(BSS),a by-product from bamboo shoot processing industries,is a natural resource of cellulose. In this study,high-pressure homogenization assisted with acidolysis treatment was employed to produce BSS cellulose nanofiber(CNF),and the structure was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction(XRD),Fourier-transform infrared(FT-IR) spectroscopy,atomic force microscopy(AFM),high resolution transmission electron microscopy(HTTEM),thermogravimetric analysis(TGA),and ~(13) C nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR). Moreover,the structure and properties of CNF were compared with those of BSS insoluble dietary fiber(IDF). The results showed that CNF was in the form of a grid-like micro fiber,and its particle size was obviously reduced,while the crystallinity,thermal stability and solubility were increased. The results indicated that high-pressure homogenization assisted with acidolysis treatment was an effective method to prepare the BSS CNF,which could be a promising biopolymer reinforced material.     

Resin impregnation of cellulose nanofibril films facilitated by water swelling

Flexible composite films were produced by impregnating aqueous phenol formaldehyde (PF) resin into water-swollen cellulose nanofibril (CNF) films. CNF films were prepared using a pressurized filtration method in combination with freeze drying. The freeze-dried films were swollen with water then impregnated with PF resin by soaking in aqueous resin solutions of varying concentrations. Small amounts of PF slightly enhanced the tensile properties of CNF films. The formulation with the best mechanical properties was CNF/PF films with 8 wt % resin exhibiting tensile stress and toughness of 248 MPa and 26 MJ/m³, respectively. Resin concentrations higher than about 8 % resulted in composites with decreased tensile properties as compared to neat CNF films. The wet strength of the composite films was significantly higher than that of the neat CNF films. The resulting composites showed greater resistance to moisture absorption accompanied by reduced thickness swelling when soaked in water as compared to neat CNF films. The composites also showed decreased oxygen permeability at low humidity compared to neat films, but the composites did not show improved barrier properties at high humidity.     

Morphology, flexural, and thermal properties of sepiolite modified epoxy resins with different curing agents

A bisphenol A-based epoxy resin was modified with 5 wt% organically modified sepiolite (Pangel B40) and thermally cured using two different curing agents: an aliphatic diamine (Jeffamine D230, D230) and a cycloaliphatic diamine (3DCM). The morphology of the cured materials was established by scanning and transmission electron microscopy analysis. The thermal stability, thermo-mechanical properties, and flexural behaviour of the sepiolite-modified matrices were evaluated and compared with the corresponding neat matrix. The initial thermal decomposition temperature did not change with the addition of sepiolite. The flexural modulus of the epoxy matrix slightly increases by the incorporation of the organophilic sepiolite. The flexural strength of the sepiolite modified resin cured with D230 increased by a 10% while the sepiolite modified resin cured with 3DCM resulted in a lower flexural strength compared with the unmodified resin. The reduced flexural strength was attributed to the stress concentrations caused by the sepiolite modifier, which rendered the resins more brittle.     

Improving the mechanical properties of CNF films by NMMO partial dissolution with hot calender activation

Reinforcing of cellulose nanofibril (CNF) films by partial dissolution with N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMMO) was investigated. The method investigated is composed of impregnation of CNF film with liquid solution of NMMO followed by dry heat activation. The heat activation of the impregnated film was carried out using a heated calendering nip, which enabled simultaneous heating and compression. The partial dissolution of cellulose by NMMO caused a significant increase in the transparency of CNF film due to the decrease of film porosity and increased surface smoothness. The dry strength of the reinforced film was increased from 122 up to 195 MPa. Furthermore, the wet strength of the reinforced film was up to 70% greater than the dry strength of pure CNF film. The changes in the fibrillar structure were investigated with topographical imaging (SEM and AFM) and spectroscopically using NMR and FTIR. No significant changes in the fibril structure or cellulose morphology were observed. Moreover, the treated film resisted significant water pressure, highlighting CNF film’s permanent water resistance. The partial dissolution process with NMMO was also capable of reinforcing a CNF composite film with macro scale structural elements (lyocell short-cut fibres). The strategy investigated is a robust and fast method to improve the mechanical properties of fibrillary cellulose films, allowing them utilization in applications where improved water resistance and fully cellulosic character are required properties.     

Sustainable nanocomposite films based on bacterial cellulose and pullulan

Bionanocomposites with improved properties based on two microbial polysaccharides, pullulan and bacterial cellulose, were prepared and characterized. The novel materials were obtained through a simple green approach by casting water-based suspensions of pullulan and bacterial cellulose and characterized by TGA, RDX, tensile assays, SEM and AFM. The effect of the addition of glycerol, as a plasticizer, on the properties of the materials was also evaluated. All bionanocomposites showed considerable improvement in thermal stability and mechanical properties, compared to the unfilled pullulan films, evidenced by the significant increase in the degradation temperature (up to 40 °C) and on both Young’s modulus and tensile strength (increments of up to 100 and 50%, for films without glycerol and up to 8,000 and 7,000% for those plasticized with glycerol). Moreover, these bionanocomposite films are highly translucent and could be labelled as sustainable materials since they were prepared entirely from renewable resources and could find applications in areas as organic electronics, dry food packaging and in the biomedical field.     

Multi-layer nanopaper based composites

Native cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) were prepared from bleached birch pulp without any chemical or enzymatic pretreatment. These CNF were modified by adsorption of a small amount of water-soluble polysaccharides and used to prepare nanopapers, which were processed into composites by lamination with an epoxy resin and subsequently cured. The results were compared to the properties of composites prepared using bacterial cellulose nanopapers, since bacterial cellulose constitutes highly pure and crystalline cellulose. It was found that both types of nanopapers significantly improved both the thermal stability and mechanical properties of the epoxy resin. As anticipated, addition of only 2 wt% of water-soluble polysaccharides efficiently hindered crack-propagation within the nanopaper and significantly improved the tensile strength and work of fracture compared to composites containing a conventional nanopaper reinforcement. The mechanical properties of the composites thus reflected the improvement of the nanopaper properties by the polysaccharides. Moreover, it was possible to predict the properties of the final composite from the mechanical performance of the nanopapers.     

3-氨丙基三乙氧基硅烷对聚氨酯/Al-Sm_2O_3复合涂层自然老化性能的影响

通过硅烷偶联剂3-氨丙基三乙氧基硅烷(KH550)改性聚氨酯(PU)/Al-Sm_2O_3复合涂层,从功能特性和力学性能角度系统研究了改性前后涂层自然老化性能的变化规律。结果表明,改性后PU/Al-Sm_2O_3复合涂层的红外发射率对自然老化的稳定性得到明显增强,在同等条件下改性后的涂层发射率要明显低于未改性的涂层发射率。改性后涂层表面的Sm_2O_3颗粒分散更加均匀,对近红外光的吸收强度有所增强,从而使改性后涂层对1.06μm近红外光的反射率要明显低于未改性涂层。改性前后涂层的硬度对自然老化具有良好的稳定性,其硬度可保持在3 H;未改性涂层的附着力和耐冲击强度受自然老化影响明显,但改性后涂层的附着力和耐冲击强度得到明显加强,经自然老化4个月后仍然可保持在1级和50 kg·cm。     

聚氧化丙烯醚对SiO2减反膜性质的影响

采用溶胶-凝胶制备的SiO2减反膜具有优良的光学特性和高损伤阈值,可以用做高反膜和减反膜的低折射率匹配层.在高功率激光领域具有十分诱人的应用前景.     

The influence of KH-550 on properties of ammonium polyphosphate and polypropylene flame retardant composites

Ammonium polyphosphate (APP)/polypropylene (PP) composites were prepared by melt blending and extrusion in a twin-screw extruder. APP was first modified by a silane coupling agent KH-550 then added to polypropylene. The surface modification of APP by the coupling agent decreased its water solubility and its interface compatibility with the PP matrix. Limiting oxygen index (LOI) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to characterize the flame retardant property and the thermal stability of the composites. The addition of APP improved the flame retardancy of PP remarkably. The crystal structures of APP/PP composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results indicated that β-crystal phase PP may be formed. The structures and morphologies of APP, KH-550/APP and APP/PP composites were characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). The mechanical property tests showed good mechanical properties of composite materials. Compared with unmodified one, the impact strength, tensile strength and elongation of modified APP/PP were all improved.     

Design of antibacterial cellulose nanofibril film by the incorporation of guanidine-attached lignin nanoparticles

Cellulose - Cellulose nanofibril (CNF) films have attracted great attention in food packaging application due to their excellent mechanical strength and oxygen barrier properties. If antibacterial...     

Improving the Gas-Separation Properties of PVAc-Zeolite 4A Mixed-Matrix Membranes through Nano-Sizing and Silanation of the Zeolite

Mixed-matrix membranes containing synthesised nano-sized zeolite 4A and PVAc were fabricated to investigate the effect of zeolite loading on membrane morphology, polymer-filler interaction, thermal stability and gas separation properties. SEM studies revealed that, although the membranes with 40 wt % nano-sized zeolite particles were distributed uniformly through the polymer matrix without voids, the membranes with 15 wt % zeolite loading showed agglomeration. With increasing zeolite content, the thermal stability improved, the permeability decreased and the selectivity increased. The effect of silanation on dispersion of 15 wt % zeolite 4A nanoparticles through PVAc was investigated by post-synthesis modification of the zeolite with 3-Aminopropyl(diethoxy)methylsilane. Modification of the nanoparticles improved their dispersion in PVAc, resulting in higher thermal stability than the corresponding unmodified zeolite membrane. Modification also decreased the rigidity of the membrane. Partial pore blockage of the modified zeolite nanoparticles after silanation caused a further decrease in permeability, compared to the 15 wt % unmodified zeolite membrane.     

Regenerated cellulose film with enhanced tensile strength prepared with ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate (EMIMAc)

In this study, environmentally friendly regenerated cellulose films with enhanced tensile strength were successfully prepared by incorporation of plasticizer agents using 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate as solvent. The results of morphology from scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy showed that cellulose films possessed homogeneously, and exhibited smooth structure. ¹³C CP/MAS NMR spectra showed that the regenerated cellulose films were transferred from cellulose I to cellulose II. Moreover, the incorporation of plasticizer agents, especially in the presence of glycerol, significantly improved the tensile strength of cellulose film (143 MPa) as compared to the controlled sample. The notable properties of the regenerated cellulose films are promising for applications in transparent packaging.     

The role of organoclay on the properties of Polymethylsilsesquioxane: A systematic study

In this study, an attempt is made to improve the properties of PMSQ, an organosilicone polymer which possesses distinguished properties, through an easy and facile route by the inclusion of organically modified montmorillonite clay. PMSQ-clay composites were prepared by solution blending of the components initially and then heat curing under load. The effect of clay content, varied at 5–40 wt.%, on mechanical, thermal and dynamic mechanical properties was evaluated and the optimum was obtained for 20%. Morphology investigation as well as microstructure analysis revealed intercalated to exfoliated morphology of PMSQ-clay composite. An appreciable improvement in mechanical properties of PMSQ, compressive strength and impact strength in particular, was achieved by clay inclusion up to 20%. The properties declined at ≥ 30% clay loading. The composites showed increased thermal stability compared to unmodified PMSQ up to 400 °C. Also, increase in clay content accelerated conversion to ceramic SiOC. PMSQ-clay composites exhibited good visco-elastic characteristics with higher T_g probably due to enhanced polymer-clay interactions. Thus, a simple and viable method to enhance the mechanical and thermal characteristics of PMSQ by way of preparing its composite with the reinforcing filler organoclay is demonstrated here.     

Efficient thermal properties enhancement to hyperbranched aromatic polyamide grafted aluminum nitride in epoxy composites

Aluminum nitride (AlN) nanoparticles were firstly treated with a silane coupling agent, γ‐aminopropyl‐triethoxysilane (γ‐APS), to introduce amine groups (AlN‐APS), then grafting of the hyperbranched aromatic polyamide started from the modified surface (AlN‐HBP). The surface modified AlN nanoparticles were characterized by Fourier transform infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, and thermogravimetric analyzer. Then the nanoparticles with these three different interface structures were selected as reinforcing fillers for epoxy composites. The study reports the influence of interfacial structure of nanoparticles on the morphology and thermal properties of epoxy composites. It was found that the AlN‐HBP nanoparticles result in a strong interface and thus the incorporation of the AlN‐HBP nanoparticles not only improved the dispersion of the nanoparticles in the epoxy matrix but also enhanced the thermal conductivity, thermal stability, glass transition temperatures, and dynamical thermomechanical properties. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

环氧树脂/液晶聚合物体系的形态、力学性能和热稳定性

合成了一种端基含有活性基团的热致性液晶聚合物 (LCPU) ,用其改性环氧树脂CYD 12 8 4 ,4′ 二氨基二苯砜 (DDS)固化体系 ,对改性体系的冲击性能、拉伸性能、弯曲性能、弹性模量、断裂伸长率、玻璃化转变温度Tg、热失重温度TG与LCPU含量的关系进行了探讨 ,对不同种类液晶化合物改性CYD 12 8 DDS体系效果进行了比较 ,用扫描电镜 (SEM)研究了材料断面的形态结构 .结果表明 ,LCPU的加入可以使固化物的力学性能和热稳定性提高 ,改性后材料断裂面的形态逐渐呈现韧性断裂特征     

Investigation of cross-linked PVA/starch biocomposites reinforced by cellulose nanofibrils isolated from aspen wood sawdust

In this study, a bio-based composite prepared from cross-linked polyvinyl alcohol/starch/cellulose nanofibril (CNF) was developed for film packaging applications. For this purpose, CNF, as reinforcing phase, was initially isolated from aspen wood sawdust (AWS) using chemo-mechanical treatments, and during these treatments, hydrolysis conditions were optimized by experimental design. Morphological and chemical characterizations of AWS fibers were studied by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Kappa number, and attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, as well as National Renewable Energy Laboratory and ASTM procedures. Morphological images showed that the diameter of the AWS fibers was dramatically decreased during the chemo-mechanical treatments, proving the successful isolation of CNF. Moreover, chemical composition results indicated the successful isolation of cellulose, and Kappa number analysis demonstrated a dramatic reduction in lignin content. Mechanical, morphological, biodegradability, and barrier properties of biocomposites were also investigated to find out the influence of CNF on the prepared biocomposite properties. The mechanical results obtained from tensile analysis revealed that Young’s modulus and ultimate tensile strength of biocomposite films were enhanced with increasing CNF concentration, while a significant decrease was observed in elongation at break at the same concentration of CNF. Furthermore, with adding CNF, barrier properties and resistance to biodegradability were increased in films, whereas film transparency gradually declined.     

Comparison of hydroxypropyl and carboxymethyl guar for the preparation of nanocellulose composite films

The gas barrier and mechanical properties are crucial parameters for packaging materials, and they are highly correlated to the molecular interactions in the polymer matrix. To improve these properties of TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibers (TOCNs) composite films, we studied the effect using hydroxypropyl guar (HPG) or carboxymethyl guar (CMG) in the preparation of TOCN composite films, which were made by following the solution-casting method. The subsequent film characterizations were carried out by UV–Vis spectra, scanning electron microscopy, oxygen and water vapor permeability measurements, tensile and thermogravimetric analyses. SEM results showed that CMG-based films had denser structures than their HPG counterparts. Moreover, the improved hydrogen bonding of the CMG-based films was partially responsible for the improved gas barrier performance, tensile strength and thermal stability. These results support the conclusion that CMG had advantages over HPG when used in the preparation of TOCNs packaging composite films.     

EFFECT OF SILANE COUPLING AGENT ON THE MECHANICAL, THERMAL PROPERTIES AND MORPHOLOGY OF TREMOLITE/PA1010 COMPOSITES

Tremolite,a kind of inorganic filler,was modified with a silane coupling agentγ-methacryloxypropyl trimethoxy silane (MPS) in ethanol/ammonia solution.The graft of MPS on tremolite was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS),IR and thermogramitric analysis (TGA) measurements.In addition,contact angle analysis showed that particle surface property was changed from hydrophilicity to hydrophobicity after the modification.Modified tremolite and pure tremolite were blended respectively with PA1010...     

Preparation and Properties of Cellulose/Waste Leather Buff Biocomposites

The aim of the present work was to utilize waste leather buff (WLB) as filler in cellulose and make biocomposites for packaging applications such as wrappers. Cellulose was dissolved in the environmentally friendly ionic liquid 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (AmimCl). To this solution, WLB was added in amounts of 5 to 25 wt.% of cellulose. The cellulose and cellulose/WLB composite films were prepared by regenerating the corresponding cast solutions in a water coagulation bath followed by washing and drying. These films were tested for their tensile properties, thermal stability, and morphology. The tensile modulus and strength of the composite films were lower than those of the matrix. The lowering of the tensile modulus and strength with increasing WLB loading was attributed to the random orientation of the leather fibers of WLB in the composites. However, the % elongation at break of the composite films was found to be higher than that of the matrix and increased with increasing WLB content. The possible interaction between the matrix and WLB filler was probed using FT-IR analysis. The thermal stability of the composite films was higher than that of the matrix. The increase in thermal stability of the composite films was attributed to cross-linked collagen protein leather fibers in WLB. The fractographs of the composite films indicated good interfacial bonding between cellulose and leather fibers of WLB. These composite films may be considered for packaging and wrapping applications.     

Studies on reactive blending of LDPE and cenosphere

The present work aims to modify conventional low density polyethylene (LDPE) by preparing its particulate composite with cenosphere. Cenosphere is a potential waste produced in bulk from the coal fired thermal power plant. In this context, surface modification of cenosphere was done by γ- aminopropyl triethoxy silane (ATS) coupling agent. Furthermore, LDPE was grafted by glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) to be used as compatibilizer. The resulting surface modified and unmodified cenosphere as well as glycidyl methacrylate grafted LDPE (LDPE-g-GMA) were functionally characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. LDPE-cenosphere particulate composites were processed in their different formulations and evaluated with various properties such as thermal stability, mechanical properties, chemical resistance and flow behaviour. Dispersibility of cenosphere in LDPE matrix was studied by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Series of analysis was performed in order to understand the effect of cenosphere content and its modification on the final properties of particulate composites. Mechanical properties were found to be statistically significant as per ANOVA and Post hoc Tukey HSD test. Particulate composites prepared with modified interphase were observed to possess good combination of properties.