Cellulose nanocrystals reinforced poly(oxyethylene)

Nanocomposite materials were prepared from poly(oxyethylene) (POE) as the matrix and a stable aqueous suspension of cellulose nanocrystals extracted from tunicate as the reinforcing phase. After dissolving POE in water and mixing with the cellulose nanocrystals suspension, solid films were obtained by casting and evaporating the preparations. Resulting films were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis and dynamic mechanical analysis. Favorable interactions between cellulose and POE were evidenced and assumed to be partially responsible for a decrease of the crystallinity of the matrix. A thermal stabilization of the nanocomposites for temperatures higher than the melting temperature of POE was reported and ascribed to the formation of a rigid cellulosic network within the matrix assumed to be governed by a percolation effect. The formation of this percolating network was not altered by the matrix crystallization process and filler/POE interactions. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.