ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on details about the concept and research progress in the field of Derivatized All-Cellulose Composites (DACC). DACCs can be produced by hot pressing of esterified cellulosic materials. The first approach takes into account the production of all-wood or all-plant fiber composites by a benzylation treatment of the cellulosic source. Mechanical properties of benzylated ACCs increase with increasing fiber volume fraction and percentage weight gain up to a certain extent. The viscoelastic and thermomechanical properties of benzylated ACCs were analyzed by dynamic mechanical analysis and thermomechanical analysis. Esterified ACCs were transparent or semitransparent due to a combined effect of the apparent thermoplasticity and molecular consolidation. H. Matsumura produced self-reinforced cellulose-based composites from partially derivatized cellulose esters, which were prepared from dissolving-grade wood pulp fibers. Similar to thermoplastic DACC, the thermoset DACC can be produced by converting the surface of cellulosic precursor to a thermoset polymer, which can be cross-linked during hot pressing at elevated temperatures.
