Surface Modification of Cellulose by Covalent Grafting and Physical Adsorption for Biocomposite Applications

Abstract: There is an increasing interest to replace fossil-based materials with renewable alternatives. Cellulose fibers/nanofibrils (CNF) are sustainable options since they are biobased and biodegradable. In addition, they combine low weight with high strength; making them suitable to, for example, reinforce composites. However, to be able to use them as such, modifications are often necessary. This study therefore aimed at modifying cellulose fibers, model surfaces of cellulose and CNF. Cellulose fibers and CNF were thereafter incorporated into composite materials and evaluated.Surface-initiated ring-opening polymerization (SI-ROP) was performed to graft ?-caprolactone (?-CL) from cellulose fibers. From these fibers, paper-sheet biocomposites were produced that could form laminate structures without the need for any addition of matrix polymer.By combining ROP and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), diblock copolymers of poly(2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) and PCL were prepared. Quaternized (cationic) PDMAEMA, allowed physical adsorption of block copolymers onto anionic surfaces, and, thereby, alteration of surface energy and adhesion to a potential matrix. Furthermore, the architecture of block copolymers of PCL and PDMAEMA was varied to investigate effects on morphology/crystallinity and adsorption behavior. In addition, poly(butadiene) was also evaluated as the hydrophobic block in the form of cationic and anionic triblock copolymers.Polystyrene (PS) was covalently grafted from CNF and used as reinforcement in PS-based composites. In an attempt to determine stress transfer from matrix to CNF, a method based on Raman spectroscopy was utilized.Covalent grafting and physical adsorption of PCL from/onto CNF were compared by incorporating modified CNF in PCL matrices. Both approaches resulted in improved mechanical properties compared to unmodified CNF, but even at low amounts of modified CNF, covalent grafting gave tougher materials and indicated higher interfacial adhesion.