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    Electrospun cellulose fiber-reinforced UV-curable composites with tunable properties

    Year: 2022

    Journal: Ind. Crop. Prod., Volume 176, FEB

    Authors: Bulota, Mindaugas; Ciuzas, Darius; Krugly, Edvinas; Pauliukaityte, Ingrida; Baniukaitiene, Odeta; Martuzevicius, Dainius

    Organizations: Research Council of Lithuania [P-MIP-19-390]

    Keywords: Electrospun cellulose fibre; Composites; Silylation; Ionic liquid; Cellulose dissolution; UV curing

    The goal of a carbon-neutral economy urges the search for unconventional eco-friendly methods of manufacturing conventional materials, including functional composites. This study combines the best practices of cellulose dissolution, fiber production through electrospinning, and composite preparation to develop a facile method for preparing lightweight fiber-reinforced composites. The challenge in solution electrospinning is that the solvent must be immediately removed. We demonstrated an electrospinning method using the nonvolatile cellulose solvent ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate (BMIMAc). Fiber fusion was effectively prevented through the rapid removal of the solvent. The overall process resulted in micro-sized fibers and a porous cellulose matrix, which was further impregnated to prepare polymer composites. The removal of ionic liquid (IL) and the grafting of Si for reducing the hydrophilicity were confirmed by solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier-transform infrared, and water contact angle analyses. Finally, strong, tough fiber-reinforced composites were fabricated through impregnation using UV-curable acrylic resin. The composite samples containing 10 wt% of cellulose fibers had a 10% higher Young's modulus, 50% greater tensile strength, and an almost 100% higher strain at break compared with neat acrylic resin. All in all it was shown that pure cellulose fiber can be readily produced in controlled environment and used for effective reinforcement of polymer matrix.
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