Preparation of Nanocomposite Dispersions Based on Cellulose Whiskers and Acrylic Copolymer by Miniemulsion Polymerization: Effect of the Silane Content

摘要

A one-step method was used to prepare stable aqueous nanocomposite dispersions based on cellulose whiskers extracted from the rachis of the date palm tree and a poly(styrene-co-2-ethyl hexylacrylate) copolymer via miniemulsion polymerization. A reactive silane, i.e., methacryloxypropyl triethoxysilane was added to stabilize the dispersion and favor the anchoring of the whiskers on polymer particles. Dynamic light scattering was used to study the effect of the silane and whiskers contents on the average particle size of the polymer. Nanocomposites materials were prepared from these dispersions using a casting/evaporation method. The effect of the silane and whiskers contents on the thermal and mechanical properties were studied using differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical analysis. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]