Renewable resource based hyperbranched epoxy thermosetting nanocomposite with cellulose nanofiber as a sustainable material

Renewable resource based hyperbranched epoxy nanocomposites have been fabricated with high tensile strength, good visual transparency, high chemical resistance and biodegradability by incorporating cellulose nanofiber (CNF) at a low dose level. The chemical structures of the nanocomposites have been confirmed by the FTIR, NMR and X-ray diffraction analyses. The morphological study by TEM analysis revealed the formation of nanofibers (diameter of similar to 40nm and length of similar to 10m) and their uniform dispersion in the polymer matrix. The cured thermosets exhibited good mechanical properties like tensile strength (32MPa), impact resistance (18.91kJ/m), scratch hardness (>10kg); excellent thermal stability (245 degrees C), chemical resistance and biodegradability. These results have been improved with the increase of CNF percentage in the epoxy matrix. The thermosets of the nanocomposites showed visual transparency of about 82% which is almost similar to the pristine epoxy. Hence, the visual transparency, good mechanical properties (tensile strength, impact resistance etc.), chemical resistance and biodegradability of the thermoset make it suitable to be used as a sustainable material for different potential applications. [GRAPHICS] .