Cationic polyacrylamide induced nanoparticles assembly in a cellulose nanofiber network

Vikram Singh Raghuwanshi, Uthpala Manavi Garusinghe, Praveena Raj, Nigel Kirby, Armin Hoell, Warren Batchelor, Gil Garnier

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

15 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Polyacrylamides of different molecular weight, charges and dosages allow to control the retention and distribution of nanoparticles (NPs) in composites, and optimise composite properties and functionality. Our aim is to evaluate the effect of high molecular weight (13 MDa) cationic polyacrylamide (CPAM) charge and dosage on SiO2 (74 nm) NP's assembly in cellulose nanofibers composites. Engineered cellulose/SiO2 composites were investigated by SEM, SAXS and DLS. SEM images show the local area retention of NPs into the cellulose matrix. SAXS provides an average NPs distribution and inter-NPs distance over complete volume of composite. DLS gives the hydrodynamic radius of CPAM adsorbed onto SiO2 NPs in a suspension. SAXS analysis reveals a structure conformation made of spherical SiO2 NPs core of diameter 74 nm surrounded by a CPAM polyelectrolyte shell 2.5 nm thick. Surprisingly, CPAM induced assembly of SiO2 NPs with constant inter-nanoparticle distance, which is irrelevant of polymer charge density. However, NPs retention in the cellulose fibre network increases with CPAM dosage. The assembly mechanism is governed by the balance of electrostatic and steric forces following CPAM coverage onto NPs and the inter-nanoparticle CPAM bridging conformation. This maintains the constant inter-nanoparticle distance and the assembly of NPs in the cellulose network.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)180-186
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Colloid and Interface Science
Volume529
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2018

Keywords

  • Assembly
  • Cationic polyacrylamide (CPAM)
  • Cellulose
  • Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS)
  • Nanoparticles
  • Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
  • Silica (SiO)
  • Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS)

Cite this