V-Shaped amphiphilic polymer brushes grafted on cellulose nanocrystals: Synthesis, characterization and properties

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were modified using an amphiphilic triblock copolymer [poly(2-(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate)-b-poly(glycidyl methacrylate)-b-poly(2,2,3,4,4,4-hexafluorobutyl acrylate) (PDMAEMA-bPGMA-b-PHFBA)] bearing epoxy functionalities located in middle segment of PGMA, which were used to react with the hydroxyl groups on the surface of the CNCs. The triblock copolymer was synthesized via a reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization reaction between 2-(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate, glycidyl methacrylate and 2,2,3,4,4,4-hexafluorobutyl acrylate, and characterized using H-1-NMR spectroscopy and size exclusion chromatography (SEC). The successful modification of the CNCs was demonstrated by means of FT-IR, TGA, TEM, XRD and XPS. In addition, the surface properties of the modified CNCs were studied using water contact angle and surface tension studies. When compared with the pristine CNCs, the modified CNCs exhibited a higher contact angle and lower surface tension. Good dispersion of the modified CNCs was observed in different polar solvents, such as water, THF, DMF, CHCl3 and toluene. The modified CNCs exhibited pH responsive properties, which were measured using dynamic light scattering (DLS). In addition, the stability of Pickering emulsions stabilized by PDMAEMA-g-CNC-g-PHFBA decreased with time or increasing pH. The droplet size increased gradually upon increasing the pH. This work provides a method to design sophisticated CNC-based materials, which benefit from both the intrinsic properties of the CNCs and the new characteristics conferred by the multifunctional grafted chains.

Automated summary

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were successfully modified using an amphiphilic triblock copolymer bearing epoxy functionalities, resulting in improved surface properties and dispersion in various solvents. The modified CNCs exhibited pH responsive properties and stability in Pickering emulsions, with droplet size increasing gradually with time or increasing pH. This work demonstrates a method to design sophisticated CNC-based materials with enhanced properties conferred by multifunctional grafted chains.