Ionic liquids facilitated dispersion of chitin nanowhiskers for reinforced epoxy composites

• Published in: Carbohydrate polymers Vol. 247; p. 116746
• Main Authors: Wang, Jintian, Chen, Zhiqiang, Guan, Aaron (Qi), Demarquette, Nicole Raymonde, Naguib, Hani E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2020
• Subjects: Chitin nanowhiskers; Ionic liquids; Mechanical properties; Nanocomposites; Nanofiller dispersion; Ionic liquids; Mechanical properties; Nanofiller dispersion; Nanocomposites; Chitin nanowhiskers
• ISSN: 0144-8617; 1879-1344
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2020.116746

•Chitin, ionic liquids and epoxy composites were prepared for structure application.•Ionic liquids addition facilitates the dispersion of chitin nanowhiskers.•Ionic liquids crosslinked the epoxy with transparent appearance.•The incorporation of chitin increased mechanical properties and thermal stability. In this work, we propose a novel approach to produce a high-strength epoxy nanocomposite using ionic liquids facilitated dispersion of chitin nanowhiskers (CNWs). Samples with 0−3 wt% CNWs and 1 wt% of [Emim][OAc] were fabricated by mixing, casting, and curing. The morphological observations of the ethanol/ionic liquid suspensions by TEM indicated that [Emim][OAc] helped in dispersing the CNWs. The tensile, impact, dynamical mechanical properties, and thermal stability of the composites were further evaluated to access the reinforcing effect of CNWs. Increase of 35 % tensile strength, 175 % toughness and 90 % impact strength were observed upon addition of 2 wt% of CNWs. Thermal stability of the epoxy was not affected by the addition of CNWs. The SEM observations of the composites evidenced that the fracture mechanisms had changed upon CNWs addition. This work shows the advantage of the novel approach using ionic liquids as nanofiller dispersant in fabricating CNWs nanocomposites.