Synergistic Effects of Low-Loading Cellulose Nanocrystals on the Mechanical, Morphological, Thermal, and Structural Properties of Epoxy Resins

Epoxy resins have attracted considerable attention as versatile adhesives due to their structural stability, chemical inertness, and excellent resistance to oxidation. Their performance can be further enhanced through the incorporation of various additives designed for specific applications. In the...

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Main Authors: Deniz Aydemir, Eser Sozen, Kadir Kayahan, Süheyla Esin Köksal, Orhan Kelleci, Kerim Aydin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-01-01
Series:Advances in Polymer Technology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/adv/7105141
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author Deniz Aydemir
Eser Sozen
Kadir Kayahan
Süheyla Esin Köksal
Orhan Kelleci
Kerim Aydin
author_facet Deniz Aydemir
Eser Sozen
Kadir Kayahan
Süheyla Esin Köksal
Orhan Kelleci
Kerim Aydin
author_sort Deniz Aydemir
collection DOAJ
description Epoxy resins have attracted considerable attention as versatile adhesives due to their structural stability, chemical inertness, and excellent resistance to oxidation. Their performance can be further enhanced through the incorporation of various additives designed for specific applications. In the present study, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), recognized for their high mechanical properties, were employed as a reinforcing agent. CNCs were incorporated into the epoxy resin at loading ratios of 0.0625%, 0.125%, 0.25%, and 0.5% to produce the nanocomposites. According to the obtained results, the lowest reductions observed in flexural and tensile strengths were 13% and 16%, respectively, while the highest increases in flexural and tensile modulus were 18% and 50%, respectively. Morphological analyses revealed that CNCs were not homogeneously distributed within the matrix, particularly at higher concentrations, where agglomeration likely contributed to the observed declines in mechanical performance. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated a slight improvement in thermal stability at lower CNC loadings; however, thermal stability diminished at higher CNC concentrations. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis demonstrated that the neat epoxy exhibited the highest crystallinity index (CI, 62%), which progressively decreased with increasing CNC content, resulting in a more amorphous nanocomposite structure.
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institution Kabale University
issn 1098-2329
language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher Wiley
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series Advances in Polymer Technology
spelling doaj-art-d1a01a932f7d44b2a6df9687bab211bd2025-08-20T03:58:40ZengWileyAdvances in Polymer Technology1098-23292025-01-01202510.1155/adv/7105141Synergistic Effects of Low-Loading Cellulose Nanocrystals on the Mechanical, Morphological, Thermal, and Structural Properties of Epoxy ResinsDeniz Aydemir0Eser Sozen1Kadir Kayahan2Süheyla Esin Köksal3Orhan Kelleci4Kerim Aydin5Department of Forest Industrial EngineeringDepartment of Forest Industrial EngineeringDepartment of Material and Material Processing TechnologiesDepartment of Forestry and Forest ProductsDepartment of Forestry and Forest ProductsDepartment of Forest Industrial EngineeringEpoxy resins have attracted considerable attention as versatile adhesives due to their structural stability, chemical inertness, and excellent resistance to oxidation. Their performance can be further enhanced through the incorporation of various additives designed for specific applications. In the present study, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), recognized for their high mechanical properties, were employed as a reinforcing agent. CNCs were incorporated into the epoxy resin at loading ratios of 0.0625%, 0.125%, 0.25%, and 0.5% to produce the nanocomposites. According to the obtained results, the lowest reductions observed in flexural and tensile strengths were 13% and 16%, respectively, while the highest increases in flexural and tensile modulus were 18% and 50%, respectively. Morphological analyses revealed that CNCs were not homogeneously distributed within the matrix, particularly at higher concentrations, where agglomeration likely contributed to the observed declines in mechanical performance. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated a slight improvement in thermal stability at lower CNC loadings; however, thermal stability diminished at higher CNC concentrations. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis demonstrated that the neat epoxy exhibited the highest crystallinity index (CI, 62%), which progressively decreased with increasing CNC content, resulting in a more amorphous nanocomposite structure.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/adv/7105141
spellingShingle Deniz Aydemir
Eser Sozen
Kadir Kayahan
Süheyla Esin Köksal
Orhan Kelleci
Kerim Aydin
Synergistic Effects of Low-Loading Cellulose Nanocrystals on the Mechanical, Morphological, Thermal, and Structural Properties of Epoxy Resins
Advances in Polymer Technology
title Synergistic Effects of Low-Loading Cellulose Nanocrystals on the Mechanical, Morphological, Thermal, and Structural Properties of Epoxy Resins
title_full Synergistic Effects of Low-Loading Cellulose Nanocrystals on the Mechanical, Morphological, Thermal, and Structural Properties of Epoxy Resins
title_fullStr Synergistic Effects of Low-Loading Cellulose Nanocrystals on the Mechanical, Morphological, Thermal, and Structural Properties of Epoxy Resins
title_full_unstemmed Synergistic Effects of Low-Loading Cellulose Nanocrystals on the Mechanical, Morphological, Thermal, and Structural Properties of Epoxy Resins
title_short Synergistic Effects of Low-Loading Cellulose Nanocrystals on the Mechanical, Morphological, Thermal, and Structural Properties of Epoxy Resins
title_sort synergistic effects of low loading cellulose nanocrystals on the mechanical morphological thermal and structural properties of epoxy resins
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/adv/7105141
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