A hydrophobic coating on cellulose nanocrystals improves the mechanical properties of polyamide-6 nanocomposites

Recent demands for high-performance lightweight materials have brought researchers’ attention to various nanoparticles reinforce polymeric materials. As such, sustainable and stiff cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) become a popular candidate as nano-reinforcements. While CNC can offer great advantages, such high mechanical properties low density, it might agglomerate even in hydrophilic polymers because of its strong affinity itself (intra intermolecular hydrogen bonds) which prevents broader use industrial applications. This study aims improve the compatibility between polyamide 6 (PA6) by chemical modification that produces surface polarity drastically different from non-modified CNC. The was rendered covalent coupling stearic acid (SA) hydroxyl groups produce stearate modified (CNC SA). effect analyzed SA reinforced PA6 nanocomposites, results are compared samples. addition unmodified provided modest improvement while CNC-SA substantial on modulus tensile strength nanocomposite films.