Abstract
In this paper, the Young’s modulus of composites containing cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) is predicted using a simple model. The significance of interphase and CNC dimensions on the nanocomposite modulus was analyzed using the developed model, which was validated using experimental data from a variety of samples. The modulus predictions were in accordance with the measured data, and CNC volume fraction of 0.02 increased the modulus of the system by 65%. Moreover, a nanocomposite that included thinner and longer CNCs had a greater modulus, and the nanocomposite modulus increased by 29.9% when the interphase thickness was 30 nm. Additionally, the modulus of the nanocomposite increased by 35.3% at an interphase modulus of 10 GPa, whereas the modulus of the system increased by 38.4% at an interphase modulus of 60 GPa. Therefore, a thicker and stiffer interphase caused a higher modulus for nanocomposites. Generally, the interphase features and CNC length directly controlled the stiffness of the system, whereas the CNC diameter had an opposite effect.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 9261-9270 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Cellulose |
Volume | 30 |
Issue number | 15 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Oct 2023 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.
Keywords
- Cellulose nanocrystals
- Interphase region
- Model
- Nanofiller
- Polymer nanocomposites
- Young’s Modulus