Char-forming behavior of nanofibrillated cellulose treated with glycidyl phenyl POSS

Cellulose-reinforced composites have received much attention due to their structural reinforcing, light weight, biodegradable, non-toxic, low cost and recyclable characteristics. However, the tendency for cellulose to aggregate and its poor dispersion in many polymers, such as polystyrene, continues to be one of the most challenging roadblocks to large scale production and use of cellulose-polymer composites. In this study, nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) is modified using GlycidylPhenyl-POSS (a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane). The product yield, morphology, and crystallinity are characterized using a variety of spectroscopy and microscopy techniques. Thermal analyses are performed using thermal gravimetric analysis and pyrolysis combustion flow calorimetry.