Forest Products Laboratory

Title: Raman analysis and mapping of cellulose nanocrystal-polypropylene composite

Author: Agarwal, Umesh P.; Sabo, R.; Reiner, Richard S.; Clemons, Craig Merrill; Rudie, Alan W.

Date: 2009

Source: Proceedings of the 15th International Symposium on Wood, Fiber and Pulping Chemistry, Oslo, Norway, (July 15-18, 2009). Oslo, Norway : Congress-Conference AS, 2009: Paper no. P-131_ISWFPC_Nano_composite_mapping

Description: 

In this study, Raman spectroscopy was used to investigate the spatial distribution of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) in extruded polypropylene (PP) filaments. Raman maps, based on cellulose and PP bands, obtained at 1 micron spatial resolution showed that the CNCs were aggregated to various degrees in the PP matrix. Of the three composites analyzed, two showed clear existence of phase separated regions – Raman images with PP strong and cellulose absent or vice versa. For the third composite, the situation was slightly improved but a clear transition interface between the PP-abundant and CNC-abundant regions was observed indicating that the CNC remained poorly dispersed. Nevertheless, tensile and modulus tests of the composites indicated up to 10% improvement compared to PP alone.

Keywords: Nanotechnology, cellulose fibers, cellulose, chemical composition, composite materials, mechanical properties, fiber-reinforced plastics, fibrous composites, thermoplastic composites, elasticity, modulus of elasticity, nanostructured materials, crystallization, Raman spectroscopy, wood-plastic composites, polypropylene, extrusion process, tensile strength, nanocomposites, nanocrystals, wood-plastic materials

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Citation

Agarwal, Umesh P.; Sabo, R.; Reiner, Richard S.; Clemons, Craig Merrill; Rudie, Alan W.  2009.  Raman analysis and mapping of cellulose nanocrystal-polypropylene composite.   Proceedings of the 15th International Symposium on Wood, Fiber and Pulping Chemistry, Oslo, Norway, (July 15-18, 2009). Oslo, Norway : Congress-Conference AS, 2009: Paper no. P-131_ISWFPC_Nano_composite_mapping .