Optical Properties of Nanocellulose Dispersions in Water, Dimethylformamide and Poly(Methyl Methacrylate)

Abstract

The effects of cellulose nanocrystal filler concentration on the optical properties of transmittance, haze, and clarity were studied for solutions and composites. Cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) solutions were studied in both water and dimethylformamide (DMF). Cellulose composites employing poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) as the matrix were tested with and without surfactants to aid dispersion. Increasing concentrations of cellulose in solution and in solid films caused light transmittance to decrease and light scattering, as measured by clarity and haze, to increase. The same optical trends were observed in solution samples as the path length (sample thickness) increased. The CNCs in DMF exhibited similar transmittance as those in water, but noticeably reduced light scattering.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2013
Accession Number
ADA587694

Entities

People

  • Alan W. Rudie
  • Hong Dong
  • James F. Snyder
  • Joshua A. Orlicki
  • Joshua Steele
  • Richard S. Reiner

Organizations

  • United States Army Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Alkenes
  • Cellulose
  • Composite Materials
  • Dispersions
  • Films
  • Materials
  • Measurement
  • Mechanical Properties
  • Methacrylates
  • Optical Properties
  • Particle Size
  • Polymers
  • Refractive Index
  • Scattering
  • Thickness
  • Thin Films
  • Transmittance

Fields of Study

  • Materials science

Readers

  • Aerosol Science/Aerosol Physics
  • Nanocomposite Materials Science
  • Polymer Science and Technology