Cellulose based micro- and nanocomposites

Purpose: In this study, the comparative role of micro-and nano- sized cellulose powder in exploring the influence on the mechanical properties of high density polyethylene (HDPE) composites was investigated. Design/methodology/approach: For production of alpha-cellulose and nanocrystalline cellulose, pulp was produced from Turkish pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) sapwood by Kraft pulping technique. Firstly, alpha-cellulose was isolated from Turkish pine pulp. After that, microcellulose and nanocrystalline cellulose were produced from this alpha-cellulose by grinding and acid hydrolysis technique, respectively. In order to compare the effect of micro-cellulose or nanocrystalline cellulose (CNC) as a filler, micro-cellulose or CNC and HDPE composites were produced with 3 different wt% cellulose containing (1.5 and 10 wt%). Findings: The nanocrystalline cellulose-filled HDPE had a significantly higher tensile and impact strength than the micro-cellulose-filled HDPE composites.