In Situ Semibatch Emulsion Polymerization of 2‐Ethyl Hexyl Acrylate/n‐Butyl Acrylate/Methyl Methacrylate/Cellulose Nanocrystal Nanocomposites for Adhesive Applications

Abstract Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are safe, “green,” hydrophilic nanoparticles. CNCs are added in situ during a semibatch 2‐ethyl hexyl acrylate (EHA)/ n ‐butyl acrylate (BA)/methyl methacrylate (MMA) emulsion polymerization. As EHA is a more hydrophobic monomer, manipulation of the monomer feed composition allows for the evaluation of the effect of hydrophobicity on CNC distribution in the nanocomposite and ultimately on adhesive …