Melt extrusion of polystyrene reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals modified using poly[(styrene)-co-(2-ethylhexyl acrylate)] latex particles

Non-covalent modification of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) was performed using a water based method with laboratory prepared statistical copolymer, viz. poly [(styrene)-co-(2-ethylhexyl acrylate)], by ionic interactions. The thermal, functional and morphological properties of modified CNC were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Their hydrophobic nature was investigated by contact angle measurements. These nanoparticles were used to prepare polystyrene (PS) nanocomposites by twin-screw extrusion. The thermomechanical performance of the ensuing composites was examined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The morphology of the materials was also studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).