Cellulose nanocrystals in carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites (CFRPCs)

Previous notes on fiber-reinforced polymer composites have focused on applications with glass fibers. A recent publication, however, shows that cellulose nanocrystals can also enhance composites that use carbon fibers. Nanomaterial enhancement of carbon fiber composites has usually focused on the use of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), but these need to be oxidized to make then compatible with the resin system which in turn can destroy their efficacy. Cellulose nanocrystals naturally have hydrophobic and hydrophilic faces, which make them ideal for achieving interface adhesion in amphiphilic systems. Shariatnia et al. from Texas A&M have shown that a content of 1% cellulose nanocrystals alone enhances the flexural strength of CFRPCs by 12%. This strength increase can be improved further to 33% by using a combination of 0.2% cellulose nanocrystals and 0.2% unoxidized CNTs; similar increases in interlaminar shear strength are also achieved. It appears that cellulose nanocrystals can help in delivering the full potential of nanomaterials in composite structures.

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For more information, please consult the full article: Hybrid cellulose nanocrystal-bonded carbon nanotubes/carbon fiber polymer composites for structural applications.