Preparation and Characterization of Poly(methyl methacrylate) Composites with Nanocellutose

The composite materials based on poly(methyl methacrylate) and poly(methyl methacrylate-co-di-methylaminoethyl methacrylate) with nanocellulose in the proportion of 1, 2.5, and 5 wt% were prepared. The homogeneous distribution of nanofillers in the polymer matrix was obtained from the solution by the ex situ method. Exclusion size chromatography showed that the strong shear force applied during homogenization caused the largest polymer molecules to crack and thus slightly reduce the average molecular weight of the polymer matrix. Higher glass transition temperatures of composites compared to pure polymer matrices and their increase with increasing filler content, confirm the homogeneity of distribution and compatibility of nanocellulose with the investigated methacrylate matrices. The addition of nanocellulose increases the hydrophilicity of materials, which facilitates printing and may favor their use as packaging materials.