Surface modification of cellulose nanocrystals for controlled distribution and mechanical properties in latex polymer systems

这项提议寻求使用纤维素纳米晶(CNCS)开发高价值的乳胶聚合物产品，CNCS是从木浆中提取的可持续纳米颗粒，在加拿大有很强的存在。乳胶聚合物应用广泛，包括涂料、粘合剂、薄膜、油漆和橡胶。具体地说，我们的目标是将碳纳米管用作乳胶聚合物中的纳米填料或交联剂。我们假设，CNCS的加入将改变胶乳的微观结构属性，并提高其整体性能。**我们的工业合作伙伴FP InnoInnovation和Celluforce在数控系统开发中发挥了主导作用，是全球最大的CNCS生产商。碳纳米管具有机械强度高、长径比大、无毒、可生物降解等优点，具有广阔的应用前景。然而，含碳纳米管的商品化产品的开发还处于起步阶段，许多聚合物的应用还有待探索。为了充分发挥碳纳米管的增强潜力，必须克服碳纳米管在聚合物基质中均匀分布和优化各组分之间的界面相容性的挑战。我们将使CNCS功能化，以控制它们在胶乳聚合物中的位置和作用，并充分表征NC-胶乳复合材料的物理、化学和机械行为。克兰斯顿和杜贝的S专业技术(分别是碳纳米管和环境友好型聚合物反应工程的制备、修饰和表征)之间的协同作用，将使具有许多加拿大工业受体的新型商业产品得以快速开发。这项研究将确保加拿大在国家科学研究中心的科学发现方面保持领先地位。(这项提议是从艾伯塔省-安大略省创新计划(AoIP)获得资金的努力的一部分，该计划是艾伯塔省创新技术期货公司、安大略省卓越中心、艾伯塔省和安大略省政府以及NSERC之间的合作伙伴关系。AoIP支持不同领域的创新，包括本申请中代表的纳米技术、先进材料和林业。)*

This proposal seeks to develop high-value latex polymer products using cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) which are sustainable nanoparticles derived from wood pulp with a strong Canadian presence. Latex polymers are used in a broad range of applications including coatings, adhesives, thin films, paints and rubbers. Specifically, we aim to use CNCs as a nanofiller or crosslinking agent in latex polymers. We hypothesize that the addition of CNCs will modify the microstructural properties of the latex and improve their overall performance.** Our industrial partners, FPInnovations and Celluforce, have played a dominant role in CNC development and are the largest producers of CNCs worldwide. CNCs have many potential applications due to their high mechanical strength, large aspect ratio, non-toxicity and biodegradability; however, the development of commercial products containing CNCs is still in its infancy and many polymer applications have yet to be explored. To fully exploit the reinforcing potential of CNCs, the challenge of uniformly distributing CNCs within a polymer matrix and optimizing interfacial compatibility between components must be overcome. We will functionalize CNCs to control their location and role within latex polymers and fully characterize the physical, chemical and mechanical behaviour of CNC-latex composites. The synergy between Cranston and Dubé's expertise (preparation, modification and characterization of CNCs and environmentally benign polymer reaction engineering, respectively) will allow for rapid development of novel commercial products with many Canadian industrial receptors. This research will ensure that Canada remains at the forefront of scientific discoveries for CNCs. (This proposal is part of an effort to secure funding from the Alberta-Ontario Innovation Program (AOIP), which is a partnership between Alberta Innovates Technology Futures, Ontario Centres of Excellence, governments of Alberta and Ontario, and NSERC. The AOIP supports innovation in different areas, including Nanotechnology, Advanced Materials and Forestry, which are represented in the present application.) ********