Cleaner and Scalable Processing of Cellulose Nanocrystal Reinforced Thermoplastic Polyurethane Nanocomposites

摘要

1. Thermally stable CNCs (suitable for common thermoplastics) were isolated 2. A cleaner and scalable method for producing thermally stable CNCs is demonstrated via a bead-milting under wet conditions 3. CNCs from mild acid hydrolysis and milling methods could be melt-compounded using classical extruders, enhance the tensile properties without discoloration 4. A cleaner method for incorporating CNCs in to polyurethane precursor as 'drop-in solution' for supply chain is demonstrated and TPU/CNCs nanocomposites were successfully processed via reactive extrusion (REX) 5. At low volume fractions of CNC (0.5 and 0.8 wt.%), an excellent improvement in mechanical properties is demonstrated, without compromising the essential rubbery properties 6. Spinifex nanocellulose was superior at reinforcement + resilience retention.