Morphological and Thermal Properties of Cellulose Nanofibrils Reinforced Epoxy Nanocomposites

Abstract

Epoxy resins have gained attention as important adhesives because they are structurally stable, inert to most chemicals, and highly resistant to oxidation. Different particles can be added to adhesives to improve their properties. In this study, cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs), which have superior mechanical properties, were used as the reinforcing agent. Cellulose nanofibrils were added to epoxy in quantities of 1 %, 2 % and 3 % by weight to prepare nanocomposites. Morphological characterization of the composites was done with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Thermal properties of the nanocomposites were investigated with Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA/DTG) and Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC). SEM images showed that the cellulose nanofibrils were dispersed partially homogenous throughout the epoxy matrix for 1 % CNF. However, it was observed that the cellulose nanofibrils were aggregated (especially for 2 and 3 % CNFs) in some parts of the SEM images, and the ratios of the aggregated parts increased as the loading rate of the cellulose nanofibrils increased. The TGA curve showed that DTG and decomposition temperature of pure epoxy was higher than that of the nanocomposites. The DSC curve showed that the glass transition temperature (T-g) value of pure epoxy was found to be similar with Tg of the nanocomposites.