New nanocomposite concept based on crosslinking of hyperbranched polymers in cellulose nanopaper templates, 2010 TAPPI International Conference on Nanotechnology for the Forest Product Industry

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Cellulosic fibers offer interesting possibilities for good interfacial adhesion due to the high density of hydroxyl groups at the surface. In the present study, the potential of a new nanocomposite concept is investigated, where a porous cellulose nanofiber network is impregnated with a solution of reactive hyperbranched polyester thermally crosslinked to form a solid matrix. The advantage of using a hyperbranched polymer is the relatively low viscosity at high molecular weights, compared to linear polymers, which favors the penetration into the cellulose nanopaper. Another advantage is the high degree of accessible functional groups which facilitates the cross-linking kinetics. The crosslinked polymer matrix shows strongly altered characteristics when it is cross-linked in the confined space within the nanofiber network.