Preparation and characterization of acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene nanocomposites reinforced with cellulose nanocrystal via solution casting method

In order to avoid the drawbacks of cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) and develop the potential for using it as a reinforcement phase in thermoplastic engineering plastic, nanocomposites from acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene (ABS) and CNC were prepared through solution casting method. SEM images revealed that just the addition of 1 wt% CNC can influence the fracture morphology of the nanocomposites. The FTIR tests showed that free hydroxyl and hydrogen bonds between the CNCs almost disappeared after they were combined with ABS. In addition, CNC content can influence the thermal degradation temperature of the nanocomposites. The mechanical properties from the tensile and DMA tests increased obviously at 5 wt% CNC content. These improved results show that good interface interaction between ABS and CNC occurred and the polar solvent and polar matrix is critical to the interface compatibility of the nanocomposite. The solution casting method can avoid thermal degradation and mass aggregation of CNC. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:E167–E173, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers