Surface Modification of Cellulose Nanomaterial for use in Hydrophobic Matrix Materials

Cellulose nanofibrils represent a natural, sustainable source of nanofibers that can be used as reinforcing additives. Unfortunately, the hydrophilic surface properties of the cellulose nanofibrils make it difficult for them to be incorporated into hydrophobic polymer matrices of common manufacturing plastics to form fiber reinforced composites. TDA is developing technology that can be used to modify the surfaces of cellulose nanofibrils so that they become compatible with today’s bulk industrial polymers. Cellulose nanofibril materials that can be routinely and efficiently incorporated into manufacturing polymers could result in a new family of natural fiber-based composites for manufacturing applications that use a renewable, sustainable source of raw materials. In Phase I, TDA developed chemistry to modify cellulose nanofibrils to allow them to be readily incorporated into plastics. We produced modified cellulose nanofibril reinforced composites that could be used to manufacture composite materials for automobiles. The composites were characterized and showed improved mechanical properties when surface modified cellulose nanofibrils were used as fiber reinforcing fillers. In Phase II, TDA will expand its development of surface modified cellulose nanofibrils to produce renewable fibers for a variety of polymers used in the automotive manufacturing industry. Polymer composites using these new cellulose materials will be fabricated, tested, and optimized for increased mechanical properties. Finally, the production of surface modified cellulose nanofibrils will be scale-up to a production quantity of 1 kilogram per batch.Commercial Applications and Other Benefits TDA will prepare cellulose fiber composites that can be used in applications that currently use glass or carbon fiber composites, such as automotive components or clean energy components. TDA’s composites will use a green, sustainable fiber source, use less energy to produce, be recyclable, and will be price competitive with current fiber reinforced composites.