POTENTIAL OF NANOCELLULOSE AS A REINFORCING PHASE FOR POLYMERS

Because of the hierarchical structure and semi-crystalline nature of cellulose, crystalline nanoparticles can be extracted from this naturally occurring polymer. Multiple mechanical shearing actions can be used to release, more or less individually, microfibrils consisting of alternating crystalline and non-crystalline domains. Longitudinal cutting of these microfibrils can be achieved by submitting the biomass to a strong acid-hydrolysis treatment which dissolves amorphous domains. Impressive mechanical properties and reinforcing capability, abundance, low density, and biodegradability of these nanoparticles make them ideal candidates for processing into polymer nanocomposites. With a Young's modulus in the range of 100-130 GPa and a surface area of several hundred m(2).g(-1), they have the potential to reinforce polymers significantly at low filler loadings. However, as for any nanoparticle, the main challenge is achieving their homogeneous dispersion within a polymeric matrix.