On the use of nanocellulose as reinforcement in polymer matrix composites

TLDR

Nanocellulose is regarded as the next‑generation renewable reinforcement for high‑performance biocomposites. This review examines nanocellulose‑reinforced polymer composites and evaluates their potential to produce renewable high‑performance polymer nanocomposites. The article reviews tensile properties of nanocellulose, compares BC and NFC reinforcement, and applies Cox–Krenchel and rule‑of‑mixture models to analyze cellulose‑reinforced polymer composites. The study finds that tensile modulus and strength of cellulose nanocomposites scale linearly with those of cellulose nanopaper, and that improved dispersion of nanofibers could further enhance composite properties.

Abstract

Nanocellulose is often being regarded as the next generation renewable reinforcement for the production of high performance biocomposites. This feature article reviews the various nanocellulose reinforced polymer composites reported in literature and discusses the potential of nanocellulose as reinforcement for the production of renewable high performance polymer nanocomposites. The theoretical and experimentally determined tensile properties of nanocellulose are also reviewed. In addition to this, the reinforcing ability of BC and NFC is juxtaposed. In order to analyse the various cellulose-reinforced polymer nanocomposites reported in literature, Cox–Krenchel and rule-of-mixture models have been used to elucidate the potential of nanocellulose in composite applications. There may be potential for improvement since the tensile modulus and strength of most cellulose nanocomposites reported in literature scale linearly with the tensile modulus and strength of the cellulose nanopaper structures. Better dispersion of individual cellulose nanofibres in the polymer matrix may improve composite properties.