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The role of CNC surface modification on the structural, thermal and electrical properties of poly(vinylidene fluoride) nanocomposites

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Abstract

This work shows the effect of cellulose nanocrystal surface charge on the morphology, structure, thermal and dielectric properties of poly(vinylidene fluoride) nanocomposites. CNCs extracted through sulfuric acid hydrolysis were modified using sodium hydroxide and cationization treatments to yield CNCs with zeta-potential values of − 26.1 ± 3.7 and − 4.4 ± 0.3 mV in comparison with the original highly-negative − 45.2 ± 1.1 mV. Nanocomposites where then obtained through doctor-blade casting followed by room temperature drying. CNC incorporation allows obtaining PVDF with 100% of γ-phase. An increase of the real dielectric constant ε′, dielectric loss tan δ and AC conductivity was observed by increasing CNC content. More importantly, these values are further boosted upon CNC surface-modification, suggesting the pivotal role of the CNC–PVDF interface. We conclude that the sulfate half-ester removal increase the amount of exposed –OH groups with increase the amount of accumulated charges at the PVDF–CNC interfaces.

Graphic abstract

The effect of cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) surface charge on the morphology, structure, thermal and dielectric properties of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) nanocomposites is here shown. By removing the sulfate half-ester it is possible to increase the amount of exposed –OH groups, enhancing the accumulated charges at the PVDF–CNC interfaces and improving the electric performance.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank the FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia) for financial support under the framework of Strategic Funding Grants UID/FIS/04650/2019, UID/EEA/04436/2013 and UID/QUI/0686/ 2016; and Projects Nos. PTDC/BTM-MAT/28237/2017; PTDC/EMD-EMD/28159/2017 and PTDC/FIS-MAC/28157/2017. The authors also thank the FCT for financial Support under grants SFRH/BPD/121526/2016 (D.M.C.) and SFRH/BPD/112547/2015 (C.M.C.) as well POCH and European Union. Financial support from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) through Project MAT2016- 76039-C4-3-R (AEI/FEDER, UE) (including FEDER financial support) and from the Basque Government Industry and Education Departments under the ELKARTEK, HAZITEK and PIBA (PIBA-2018-06) programs, respectively, is also acknowledged

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. BCMaterials, Basque Center for Materials, Applications and Nanostructures, UPV/EHU Science Park, 48940, Leioa, Spain

    Mikel Rincón-Iglesias, Erlantz Lizundia & Senentxu Lanceros-Méndez

  2. Department of Graphic Design and Engineering Projects, Bilbao Faculty of Engineering, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Alameda Urquijo w/n, 48013, Bilbao, Spain

    Erlantz Lizundia

  3. Department of Chemistry and CQ-VR, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, 5000-801, Vila Real, Portugal

    Daniela M. Correia

  4. Centro de Física, Universidade do Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal

    Daniela M. Correia & Carlos M. Costa

  5. Centro de Química, Universidade do Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal

    Carlos M. Costa

  6. IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, 48013, Bilbao, Spain

    Senentxu Lanceros-Méndez

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  1. Mikel Rincón-Iglesias
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  2. Erlantz Lizundia
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Correspondence to Erlantz Lizundia or Carlos M. Costa.

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Rincón-Iglesias, M., Lizundia, E., Correia, D.M. et al. The role of CNC surface modification on the structural, thermal and electrical properties of poly(vinylidene fluoride) nanocomposites. Cellulose 27, 3821–3834 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-020-03067-z

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