Synthesis of Poly(n‐butyl acrylate/methyl methacrylate)/CNC Latex Nanocomposites via In Situ Emulsion Polymerization

Abstract Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are renewable, nontoxic and naturally available organic nanoparticles derived from cellulosic resources such as cotton and wood pulp. Poly( n ‐butyl acrylate‐ co ‐methyl methacrylate)/CNC latexes are successfully synthesized via in situ emulsion polymerization. The effect of CNC loading on overall conversion, polymer particle size, glass transition temperature ( T g ), gel content, latex viscosity, and storage and loss moduli of dried latex are studied. While the effect of CNC content on overall conversion, polymer particle size, and T g of the resulting latexes is negligible, significant increase in gel content, latex viscosity, and storage and loss moduli are observed. image