Processing and Characterization of Nanocellulose Composites: The Leap from Poly(lactic acid) to Polyamide 6

This disseration covers the processing and characterization of nanocellulose polymer composites. In this disseration, two fiber spinning methods were developed to create high stiffness nanocomposite fibers from renewably-sourced materials and the properties of these nanocomposites were evaluated. Additionally, bulk nanocomposites were created and some of the properties of these materials, for different types of nanoparticles, are also discussed. Evaluation of nanocellulose as a nucleation agent in poly(lactic acid) is also presented for very small concentrations of nanocelluloses in a plasticized polymer.