Hydrophobic surface functionalization of cellulose nanocrystals for composites and non-aqueous formulation products

纤维素纳米晶体（CNC）是可持续的纳米颗粒，可以从加拿大森林的木材纤维中经济地提取-这是一种丰富的可再生资源。纤维素纳米晶体具有令人印象深刻的物理和机械性能，无毒且可生物降解，根据加拿大环境部的国内物质清单，它们是加拿大第一种安全的纳米材料。CNC在广泛的产品中具有潜在的应用，包括油漆、包装、食品、化妆品和复合材料，但它们受到CNC是亲水性的并且与大多数疏水材料不相容的事实的限制。为了防止CNC聚集并改善其在有机溶剂和非极性聚合物、纤维和泡沫中的分散性，需要疏水表面官能化。

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are sustainable nanoparticles which can be economically extracted from the wood fibres of Canada's forests - an abundant and renewable resource. Cellulose nanocrystals have impressive physical and mechanical properties and are non-toxic and biodegradable making them the first safe nanomaterial in Canada according to Environment Canada's Domestic Substance List. CNCs have potential application in a broad range of products, including paints, packaging, food, cosmetics and composites but they are limited by the fact that CNCs are hydrophilic and incompatible with most hydrophobic materials. In order to prevent CNCs from aggregating and to improve their dispersion in organic solvents and non-polar polymers, fibres and foams, hydrophobic surface functionalization is required.