| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1386052 | Carbohydrate Polymers | 2014 | 7 Pages |
•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.
