Properties of rosin-based waterborne polyurethanes/cellulose nanocrystals composites

Polymers from renewable biomass are viable supplements for synthetic polymers. In this study, cellulose nanocrystals (CNs) were used as nanofillers to improve properties of rosin-based waterborne polyurethanes (RWPU). The morphology, structure, thermal, and mechanical properties of the RWPU/CNs nanocomposites were investigated. It demonstrated that CNs were compatible with RWPU and dispersed homogeneously in the polymer matrix. CNs as nanofillers improved tensile strength of RWPU significantly. Tensile strength of RWPU/CNs composite films increased from 28.2 to 52.3 MPa with increasing CNs amount from 0 to 20 wt%. Moreover, the thermal stability of RWPU was also improved by CNs and the glass transition temperature of RWPU/CNs decreased comparing with RWPU. This work provided a novel pathway for preparation of biomass-based WPU with excellent properties from cellulose and rosin. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.