Surface modification of boron nitride nanosheets with polycationic electrolytes through ARGET ATRP for enhancing mechanical properties of cellulose film

© 2019 Elsevier B.V. A novel strategy has been developed to modify boron nitride nanosheets (BNNSs) with polycationic electrolytes through surface-initiated, activators regenerated by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization (ARGET ATRP). Surface-modification of BNNSs was realized in two steps, by first anchoring α-bromoisobutyryl bromide (BiBB) through esterification and subsequently by initiating 2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyltrimethylammonium chloride (DMC) through ARGET ATRP to produce surface-modified BNNSs (BNNSs/PDMC). The BNNSs/PDMC exhibited excellent water dispersibility, and they improve the mechanical properties of carboxymethyl cellulose films significantly, enabling Young's modulus to be increased by 729%.