Page 704 - Polymer-based Nanocomposites for Energy and Environmental Applications

Carbon nanotube-based nanocomposites for wind turbine applications 647

high strength, large surface area, large aspect ratio, and lower breaking
expansion [35].
The significance of CNC for polymer matrices has been proved already as a rein-
forcement material due to the abovementioned special properties [36] as it is playing a
vital role in nanocomposites as well [37]. Apart from it, by maintaining the similar
binding pattern, CNC can play an integral role in increasing stiffness and strength
and promise optical healing by making a combination with hydrogen-bonded supra-
molecular that is a polymer [38]. Besides that, Fox et al. [39] proposed a method
related to exchange ion that supports renewable energy applications like wind
turbine [39].
Numerous applications can be observed with CNC specifically for nanoscale com-
posites or nanocomposite such as ultrathin-film-coating components; materials
belong to medical, biosensing issue, green catalysis, and other applications [40].
While forming a percolated structure, a great amount of aspect ratio (length/diameter)
of cellulose nanocrystal is highly motivated to make improvement of polymer
nanocomposites as a reinforced agent [41] or as a nanofiller [42]. In the area of bio-
nanocomposites, cellulose nanocrystals are also playing a key role nowadays because
of its overall unique structure [43]. Habibi et al. [44] introduced a significant appli-
cation of poly (ε-caprolactone) CNCs that is grafted that has brought good Young’s
modulus and storage modulus properties [44]. Moreover, tensile strength and modulus
enhanced by Pracella et al. [45] by preparing PLA bionanocomposite with the help of
very low amount of polyvinyl acetate dispersed CNCs (<5%) [45]. As a nanoadditive,
cellulose nanocrystal is remaining into the top of the list that belongs to nanotech [46].
Even by using electrospinning process, Peresin et al. [34] have been also proved the
better application of CNCs with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) concentrations to make
nanofiber composites (nonwoven mats) and to bring accuracy inhomogeneity of
nanofiber [34]. Furthermore, an excellent fiber named as alginate fiber is an outstand-
ing material to be used in wound dressings [47–49], with the presence of calcium that
has been combined with cellulose nanocrystals. For this combination, tensile energy
develops that causes fiber breakage, and by making a significant reduction of total
fiber processing time, tougher and thicker alginate fibers can be produced [50].In
total, there is no doubt to say that cellulose nanocrystal is the most significant biopoly-
mers that can merge into the nanocomposite area greatly [51].
To ensure the exact application of CNC for wind turbine application, Fox et al. [39]
have proposed a model for the usage of CNC within ion-exchange process to improve
thermal stabilities and miscibility and to alter surface energy that supports numerous
application like transportation sector, infrastructure sector, and renewable energy sec-
tor (e.g., wind turbine) [39].
Fox et al. [39] studies showed a significant impact performance of imidazolium or
phosphonium ion-exchange CNC comparing with Na-CNC. Two type composites
have been considered for both types of CNC. One is epoxy, and another one is poly-
styrene. It has been said that ion exchange for epoxy does not require any kind of sol-
vent or surfactant molecule. However, ion exchange and the presence of Na in CNCs
have not brought any significance on curing behavior. On the site of the tensile prop-
erties, it has been noted that the addition of CNC, no matter how modified, brought