Article on polymer composite coatings with cellulose nanomaterials published in Matter

Orono, Maine —  An article by ASCC researchers Lu Wang, Cong Chen, Sunil Bhandari, M. Ozgur Seydibeyoglu, Elif Alyamac-Seydibeyoglu, William Gramlich, Mehdi Tajvidi, and Douglas Gardner was published in Matter. Other authors include researchers from the University of Maine and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. 

The review paper is intended to promote the pilot-scale study and commercial use of cellulose nanomaterials as additives in polymer composite coating and adhesive formulations. The use of nanomaterials as reinforcing fillers has proven to promote the performance of polymer coatings and adhesives. Cellulose nanomaterials bring multifunctionalities–as well as sustainability benefits–to polymer coatings. The authors review the progress of multi-functionalizing polymeric coatings and adhesives through cellulose nanomaterial incorporation, and provide insights into future research efforts with cellulose nanomaterials.  


Multifunctional polymer composite coatings and adhesives by incorporating cellulose nanomaterials

Authors: Lu Wang, Peter V. Kelly, Nihan Ozveren, Xuefeng Zhang, Matthew Korey, Cong Chen, Kai Li, Sunil Bhandari, Halil Tekinalp, Xianhui Zhao, Jinwu Wang, M. Ozgur Seydibeyoglu, Elif Alyamac-Seydibeyoglu, William M. Gramlich, Mehdi Tajvidi, Erin Webb, Soydan Ozcan, Douglas J. Gardner

Matter (2023)
Full Article
Published: 22 December 2022

Summary

Regardless of their applications, polymers are still considered mechanically weak and functionally insufficient for certain demanding coating and adhesive uses. To address those issues, nanomaterials have been extensively studied as reinforcing fillers, which have been proven to effectively promote the performance of polymer coatings/adhesives. However, conventional nanofillers are expensive and non-biodegradable. Meanwhile, cellulose nanomaterials (CNMs), a class of nanomaterials produced from biomass feedstocks, can circumvent the drawbacks of conventional nanofillers. This review paper first focuses on the multi-functionalities CNMs bring to polymer coatings, including mechanical reinforcement (wear resistance and hardness enhancement), gas barrier, flame resistance, corrosion resistance, self-healing (controlled-release), optical regulation, self-cleaning/antifouling, and antimicrobial characteristics. Then we discuss the benefits of CNM addition to polymer adhesives, such as mechanical enhancement, curing promotion, volatile organic compound (VOC) suppression, and electrical conductivity. Finally, we provide insights into future research efforts with CNMs. The goal of this paper is to promote the pilot-scale study and commercial use of CNMs as multifunctional additives in green and sustainable polymer composite coating and adhesive formulations.


Keywords: fibril; crystals; intumescence; dye; tortuous path; waterborne; network; modification; dispersion; iridescence; template

Article on polymer composite coatings with cellulose nanomaterials published in Matter

Matter (2023)


Contact: Katelin Moody, katelin.moody@maine.edu