Re‐treated nanocellulose whiskers alongside a polyolefin elastomer to toughen and improve polypropylene composites

ABSTRACT Nanocellulose whiskers grafted with a polyolefin elastomer (POE–NCW) were prepared through the reaction of nanocellulose whiskers and a polyolefin elastomer (POE). This was followed by the blending of POE–NCW with polypropylene (PP), and thus, ternary nanocomposites were obtained. When the dosage of POE–NCW was 2%, the tensile strength, storage modulus, and Vicat softening temperature of the ternary nanocomposites increased by 60%, 35%, and 13 °C, respectively. A core–shell‐like cladding structure was formed by the coating of POE on the nanorigid particles; the toughness and rigidity of the composites were both significantly improved, and this prevented brittle fracture under impact and enlarges the range of applications for PP composites. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46066.