A High Strength Nanocomposite Based on Microcrystalline Cellulose and Polyurethane

Abstract

A high-strength elastomeric nanocomposite has successfully been prepared by dispersing microcrystalline cellulose in a polyurethane matrix. The resulting nanocomposites show increased strain-to-failure in addition to increased stiffness and strength compared to the unfilled polyurethane. The optimal composite contained 5 wt % cellulose. The average true strength for this composition was 257 MPa, compared with 39 MPa for the neat polyurethane, and showed the highest strain-to-failure. The improvements of stiffness, strength, as well as strain-to-failure are believed to be due to good interaction, by both covalent and hydrogen bonds, between the polyurethane and the cellulose nanofibrils.