Work

Tailoring the Mechanical Properties of Nanocellulose/ ABS Composites by Tuning the Grafting Density on Nanocellulose

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT The interfacial structure between nanofillers and polymer matrices plays a critical role in determining the overall performance of polymer nanocomposites. In this study, we explored how varying the grafting density of flexible poly(oxyethylene/oxypropylene)‐2‐propylamine (MPOEA) chains on cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) influences the mechanical and thermal properties of CNF‐reinforced Acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) composites. The grafted MPOEA chains formed interfacial layers around the CNFs, with higher grafting densities yielding more interactive interphases. As a result, compared with the unmodified CNF/ABS composite, the optimized composite (J‐100%) exhibited an approximately 26‐fold increase in tensile toughness, from 0.90 ± 0.24 to 23.62 ± 7.47 MJ m −3 , while maintaining a Young's modulus of 1.52 ± 0.30 GPa, which remained comparable to that of neat ABS (1.41 ± 0.03 GPa). Thermomechanical analysis indicated that the addition of CNFs reduced the thermal expansion of the composites, and although this effect diminished at higher grafting densities, the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) values remained lower than that of neat ABS, ranging from (133.9 ± 0.3) × 10 −6 K −1 for J‐0% to (157.2 ± 4.4) × 10 −6 K −1 for J‐100%, compared with (169.5 ± 7.7) × 10 −6 K −1 for neat ABS.

Source: Journal of Applied Polymer Science

DOI: 10.1002/app.71485

Authors: Yuanting Yang, Ryo Saito, Tsuguyuki Saito, Shuji Fujisawa

Institution: The University of Tokyo

Language: English

Topic: Advanced Cellulose Research Studies

Subfield: Biomaterials

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,140

Funders: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Japan Science and Technology Agency