The Effect of Plasticizer and Cellulose Nanowhisker Content on the Dispersion and Properties of Cellulose Acetate Butyrate Nanocomposites

We studied the effects of plasticizer and cellulose nanowhisker content on the dispersion and properties of cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB)-based bionanocomposites. The cellulose nanowhiskers in an aqueous medium were solvent-exchanged to nonaqueous polar solvent (acetone) and used for nanocomposite processing by solution casting. The plasticized and unplasticized nanocomposites with 5 and 10 wt% cellulose nanowhisker content were prepared. Atomic force microscopy indicated nanoscale dispersion of whiskers in the CAB matrix. The dynamic mechanical analysis showed an increase in storage modulus with addition of cellulose nanowhiskers, especially above the glassy-rubbery transition region. Thermogravimetric analysis showed an improvement in thermal stability with increased whisker content for both unplasticized and plasticized nanocomposites. The plasticized nanocomposites showed better transparency than the unplasticized composites, indicating a better dispersion of cellulose nanowhiskers. in CAB, in the presence of a plasticizer. The dynamic mechanical properties and thermal stability increased, whereas transparency decreased with increased CNW content. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 114: 2723-2730, 2009