Surface modified cellulose nanocrystals are also gaining a significant attention to improve the compatibility between the filler and matrix.45 In a recent study, nano­composites of chitosan were prepared using methyl adipoyl chloride functionalized cellulose nanocrystals in which the primary amine groups of chitosan were shown to conjugate with functionalized cellulose, as shown in Fig. 16.3.

This phenomenon of conjugation allowed to prepare nanocomposites with high amount of nanofillers, that is, up to 60% (MA-CNC 0.8). These nanocomposites

exhibited a linear improvement in the tensile strength and modulus from 45 MPa to 108 MPa and 1.2 GPa to 3.7 GPa, respectively.37