Nanocrystalline Materials Dispersed in Vinyl-Containing Polymers and Processes Therefor

1 . A process, comprising:

providing a composition into a reactor, wherein the composition comprises:

chloroethene monomer;

nanocrystalline cellulose; and

water;

polymerizing the composition to form a composite, wherein the composite comprises:

poly(chloroethene); and

nanocrystalline cellulose;

wherein the composite is the form of an aqueous dispersion.

2 . The process of claim 1 ,

wherein the poly(chloroethene) is poly(chloroethene) particles; and wherein the nanocrystalline cellulose is deposited on a surface of the poly(chloroethene) particles.

3 . The process of claim 1 , further comprising:

drying the aqueous dispersion to form a dried composite.

4 . The process of claim 1 ,

wherein the nanocrystalline cellulose is present in the composite at a level of less than 3.5% by weight, based on the total weight of the composite.

5 . The process of claim 1 ,

wherein the nanocrystalline cellulose is present in the composite at a level of less than 1% by weight, based on the total weight of the composite.

6 . The process of claim 1 ,

wherein the nanocrystalline cellulose is present in the composite at a level of less than 0.5% by weight, based on the total weight of the composite.

7 . The process of claim 1 , further comprising:

preparing an organsol, wherein said organosol comprises:

the composite; and

an organic fluid for suspending or dispersing the composite; and

casting a film from the organosol.

8 . The process of claim 1 , further comprising:

drying the aqueous dispersion to form a dried composite;

melting the dried composite to form a melted composite; and

calendering a film from the melted composite.

9 . A product produced by the process of claim 1 .

10 . A composition comprising:

at least one poly(chloroethene) resin;

at least one nanocrystalline cellulose;

at least one organic liquid suitable for suspending or dispersing said poly(chloroethene) resin;

at least one polydimethylsiloxane; and

optionally, at least one surfactant.

11 . The composition of claim 10 ,

wherein the at least poly(chloroethene) resin is a mixture comprising:

at least one low molecular weight poly(chloroethene) resin;

at intermediate molecular weight poly(chloroethene) resin; and

at high molecular weight poly(chloroethene) resin.

12 . The composition of claim 11 ,

wherein the poly(chloroethene) resin comprises:

5-60 parts per hundred of the low molecular weight poly(chloroethene) resin;

5-60 parts per hundred of the intermediate molecular weight poly(chloroethene) resin; and

35-90 parts per hundred of the high molecular weight poly(chloroethene) resin.

13 . The composition of claim 10 ,

wherein the nanocrystalline cellulose is present at a level of 0.1% by weight to 3.5% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

14 . The composition of claim 10 ,

wherein the ratio of the at least one nanocrystalline cellulose to at least one polydimethylsiloxane does not exceed 1.5:1.

15 . A film comprising the composition of claim 10 .