Projects per year
Abstract
Free-standing nanocellulosic films (nanopapers) emerge as attractive sustainable materials to replace traditional plastics. However, the moisture sensitivity of cellulose and its poor dispersion in hydrophobic polymers are challenges to its widespread application. Harnessing the inherent properties of cellulose, lignin, and polycaprolactone, a Pickering emulsion approach is proposed to produce multifunctional cellulose nanofibril (CNF) nanocomposite films. Aqueous CNF dispersion is combined with hydrophobic polycaprolactone (PCL) using colloidal lignin nanoparticles (CLPs) as the emulsion stabilizer. CNF–PCL nanocomposite films with over 134% increase in dry strength compared to nanocomposites without CLPs are fabricated. This interfacial engineering strategy results in a CNF-based nanocomposite with wet strength up to 87 MPa without any chemical modification or crosslinking agents. The mechanism behind the achieved excellent dry and wet strength and water resistance is investigated and it is suggested that it is due to the amphiphilic CLPs that are able to form non-covalent bonds with both cellulose and PCL, thus binding these together. Furthermore, the nanocomposite films’ protection against UV and oxidation is significantly enhanced by increasing the CLPs content. Our proposed interfacial engineering strategy can be generically applied to other polymer systems and shows a great potential to pave the way toward replacing fossil-based plastics.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 2200988 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Advanced Materials Interfaces |
Volume | 9 |
Issue number | 27 |
Early online date | 25 Aug 2022 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Sept 2022 |
MoE publication type | A1 Journal article-refereed |
Keywords
- cellulosic nanocomposite
- interfacial compatibilizer
- lignin nanoparticles
- Pickering emulsion
- wet strength
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FinnCERES: Competence Center for the Materials Bioeconomy: A Flagship for our Sustainable Future
Hämäläinen, J. (Principal investigator)
01/05/2022 → 30/06/2026
Project: Academy of Finland: Other research funding
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IMPRESS: Integration of efficient downstreaM PRocessEs for Sugars and Sugar alcohols
Louhi-Kultanen, M. (Principal investigator), Zaykovskaya, A. (Project Member), Ila, M. (Project Member) & Amano, B. (Project Member)
01/09/2019 → 29/02/2024
Project: EU: Framework programmes funding
Equipment
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Bioeconomy Research Infrastructure
Seppälä, J. (Manager)
School of Chemical EngineeringFacility/equipment: Facility
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OtaNano - Nanomicroscopy Center
Seitsonen, J. (Manager) & Rissanen, A. (Other)
OtaNanoFacility/equipment: Facility