Thermoresponsive poly(poly(ethylene glycol) methylacrylate)s grafted cellulose nanocrystals through SI-ATRP polymerization

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-1-2017

Abstract

We report a series of thermoresponsive cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) decorated with poly(poly(ethylene glycol) methylacrylate) copolymers (poly(PEGMA)-g-CNCs) synthesized by surface initiated-atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP). The chemical structures and surface morphologies were subsequently confirmed by FT-IR, XPS, and AFM measurements. With regard to thermally responsive behavior, poly(PEGMA)-g-CNCs show tunable lower critical solution temperature (LCST) values in the range of 34–66 °C by varying the feeding ratios of comonomers. The reversible morphological transformation from individual nano-rod structures to larger globule aggregates was further verified by AFM during the LCST transition. These functionalized CNCs have potential as smart film filters and biosensors.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Cellulose

First Page

4189

Last Page

4203

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