Mechanical properties of heat-treated cellulose nanofiber-reinforced polyvinyl alcohol nanocomposite

Abstract

The mechanical properties of cellulose nanofiber-reinforced polyvinyl alcohol composite were studied. Neat polyvinyl alcohol films, cellulose nanofiber sheets, and their nanocomposites containing cellulose nanofiber weight ratios of 5, 15, 30, 40, 45, 50 and 80 wt% were fabricated. Heat treatment by hot pressing at 180℃ was conducted on the specimens to study its effect to the mechanical properties and the results were compared with the non heat-treated specimens. Morphology of the composites was studied by scanning electron microscopy and the mechanical properties were evaluated by means of tensile tests. The results showed that increase of cellulose nanofiber content from 5 wt% to 80 wt% has increased the tensile strength of the composites up to 180 MPa, with cellulose nanofiber content higher than 40 wt% yielding higher tensile strength. The heat-treated specimens exhibited higher tensile strength compared to those of untreated specimens.