Melt processing of cellulose nanocrystal reinforced polycarbonate from a masterbatch process

Cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) reinforced polycarbonate (PC) nanocomposites were obtained by melt extrusion. Highly concentrated CNC/PC masterbatch was first prepared using a dissolution/precipitation process which was then diluted by extrusion. Water from the CNC aqueous dispersion was exchanged to pyridine. PC was dissolved in this suspension and the mixture was precipitated in water. Two different methodologies were adopted for the PC matrix. In the first one, PC was submitted to the same dissolution/precipitation process than masterbatch, whereas in the second approach, the PC pellets were directly mixed with the solid masterbatch capsules. The structural, thermal and mechanical properties of ensuing nanocomposite materials were investigated. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.