Thermoset nanocomposites from two-component waterborne polyurethanes and cellulose whiskers

• Thermoset nanocomposites were prepared from a biomass-based 2K-WPU and CNWs.
• Mechanical properties of 2K-WPU were reinforced by adding low leading level CNWs.
• Effects of CNWs content on G′ and G″ were studied by rotational rheometer.
• Stronger interactions between the matrix and CNWs were confirmed by DSC and DMA.

We prepared thermoset nancomposites from biomass-based two-component waterborne polyurethane (2K-WPU) and cellulose namowhiskers (CNWs). Due to the formation of hydrogen bonds, the viscosity of 2K-WPU dispersion was found to be increased with the addition of CNWs. SEM images showed “sea-island structure” corresponding to the microphase separation between CNWs nano-filler and the 2K-WPU matrix. The α-relaxation temperature (Tα) and glass transition temperature (Tg) increased with the increase of CNWs content, which was due to the formation of a rigid CNWs nano-phase acting as crosslinking points in the 2K-WPU matrix. Mechanical properties from tensile test showed Young's modulus and tensile strength of 2K-WPU/CNWs nanocomposites were reinforced by the addition of CNWs. Thermo-stability of 2K-WPU/CNWs nanocomposites decreased slightly with the increase of CNWs content, which could be attributed to the increased thermal conductivity of the material after adding CNWs.