Incorporating Hydrophobic Cellulose Nanocrystals inside Latex Particles via Mini‐Emulsion Polymerization

Abstract Hydrophobic cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are encapsulated inside poly(butyl acrylate/vinyl acetate/acrylic acid) latex particles via mini‐emulsion polymerization (MEP). To achieve a genuine MEP, the effects of the concentration of surfactants (sodium dodecyl sulfate/Disponil A3065) and a hydrophobic agent (octadecyl acrylate (ODA)) are optimized in the presence of 0.5 wt% CNC. Using a combination of surfactant and ODA concentrations …