Unsaturated Polyester Nanocomposites modified with fibrillated cellulose and PEO-b-PPO-b-PEO block copolymer

PEO-b-PPO-b-PEO block copolymer (EPE20) was used as both nanostructuring agent for unsaturated polyester (UP) matrix and dispersing agent for sisal microfibrillated cellulose (MFC), which successfully reduced the brittles of the UP matrix increasing the toughness of designed materials and allowed to maintain the flexural modulus in the UP/EPE20/MFC. Sisal MFC, prepared by chemical and mechanical treatment using high pressure homogeneizer, was employed as reinforcement for nanaostructurated UP based thermosetting systems. UP system modified with both 1 wt.% MFC and 5 wt.% EPE20 led to design optically transparent nanostructured thermosetting materials with good mechanical properties.