Tailoring Cellulose Nanocrystal and Surfactant Behavior in Miniemulsion Polymerization

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) combined with surfactants were used to stabilize miniemulsion polymerization reactions. Anionic CNCs with H+ and Na+ counterions and cationic-modified CNCs were investigated with anionic and cationic surfactants. When oppositely charged CNCs and surfactants were mixed, CNC size increased and absolute zeta-potential decreased, indicating surfactant adsorption and the ability to costabilize the monomer/water …