Thermoresponsive Copolymer Poly(N-Vinylcaprolactam) Grafted Cellulose Nanocrystals: Synthesis, Structure, and Properties

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-7-2017

Abstract

A novel thermoresponsive copolymer poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) grafted cellulose nanocrystals (PVCL-g-CNCs) was synthesized using surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization, and its temperature responsive behavior was studied in this work. The chemical structure characterization by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, solid-state CP/MAS 13C NMR spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the presence of covalently grafting PVCL chains on the CNC surface. The crystalline structure and nanorod-shaped morphology of CNCs were well preserved after polymerization. Transmission electron microscope results indicated that the surface of CNCs was covered with grafted PVCL brushes. The viscoelastic properties of PVCL-g-CNC aqueous suspensions (1.0 wt %) by dynamic rheology measurements confirmed the thermally induced phase transition behavior. The work presented herein paves the way to design CNC-based advanced functional materials benefiting both from the intrinsic characteristics of CNCs and the new properties imparted by the temperature sensitive grafted polymer chains.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering

First Page

7439

Last Page

7447

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS