Enhanced homogeneity and interfacial compatibility in melt-extruded cellulose nano-fibers reinforced polyethylene via surface adsorption of poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(ethylene) amphiphiles. (November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Volk, Ned; He, Rongliang; Magniez, Kevin
• Is Part Of: European polymer journal. Volume 72(2015:Nov.)
• Page Start: 270
• Page End: 281
• Publication Date: 2015-11
• Subjects: Interfacial interaction -- Surface adsorption -- Amphiphile -- Extrusion -- Polyethylene -- Cellulose nano-fibers; Polymers -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; Polymères -- Périodiques; Polymérisation -- Périodiques; Polymerization; Polymers; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 547.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2015.09.025
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0014-3057

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: We demonstrates that poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(ethylene) (PEG- b -PE) amphiphiles can be used as both a dispersing and compatibilizing agents for melt-compounding of cellulose nano-fibers with polyethylene. Cellulose nano-fiber was surface treated with PEG- b -PE and processed into a powder via a spray drying process. After melt-compounding of the treated nano-cellulose with polyethylene, we obtained homogeneous and optically clear nano-composites. Tailorization of the LLDPE/cellulose interface was achieved, yielding significant improvements in mechanical properties. Abstract: In this paper, we demonstrate that an amphiphilic block copolymer such as polyethylene glycol- b -polyethylene can be used as both dispersing and interfacial compatibilizing agent for the melt compounding of LLDPE with cellulose nano-fibers. A simple and effective spray drying methodology was first used for the first time for the preparation of a powdered cellulose nano-fibers extrusion feedstock. Surface adsorption of the amphiphilic PEG- b -PE was carried out directly in solution during this process. These various dry cellulosic feedstock were subsequently combined with LLDPE via extrusion to produce a range of nano-composites. The collective outcomes of this research are several folds. Firstly we show that presence of surface adsorbed PEG- b -PE effectively hindered the aggregation of the cellulose nano-fibers during the extrusion, affording clear homogenous materials with minimum aggregation even at the highest loading of cellulose nano-fibers (∼23 vol.%). Secondly, the tailored LLDPE/cellulose interface arising from intra- and inter-molecular hydrogen and Van der Waals bonds yielded significant levels of mechanical improvements in terms of storage and tensile modulus. We believe this study provides a simple technological template to produce high quality and performant polyolefins cellulose-based nano-composites.