TY - JOUR
T1 - Improved stabilisation of graphite nanoflake dispersions using hydrothermally-produced nanocellulose
AU - Dimic-Misic, Katarina
AU - Buffiere, Jean
AU - Imani, Monireh
AU - Nieminen, Kaarlo
AU - Sixta, Herbert
AU - Gane, Patrick
PY - 2021/2/5
Y1 - 2021/2/5
N2 - Dispersing graphite nanpoflakes in aqueous suspension is essential both during their processing and to realise the high level of functionality they offer. In this study two types of chemical-free nanocelluloses were assessed as possible dispersing agent for graphite nanoflakes. Hydrothermally-produced nanocellulose (HTC) obtained by supercritical water treatment of microcrystalline cellulose, showed superior dispersing than the more conventional, mechanically-produced microfibrillated nanocellulose (MFC) alternative, effectively preventing nanoflake agglomeration. Thanks to the specific processing method, the HTC material displayed higher total surface energy and a favourable particle morphology. These properties resulted in a 2-fold reduction in the volume median colloidal particle size of nanographite in suspension upon addition of only 2 w/w% nanocellulose. The improved single particle dispersion within the suspension matrix could be observed microscopically and was reflected rheologically. The latter was achieved by parameterising the stress-shear rate response and fitting the linear segments displaying the suspension coupling response. Using chemical-free nanocellulose as dispersant in aqueous medium is a positive step toward the exfoliation of nanographite into graphene in a more affordable and environmentally-friendly way.
AB - Dispersing graphite nanpoflakes in aqueous suspension is essential both during their processing and to realise the high level of functionality they offer. In this study two types of chemical-free nanocelluloses were assessed as possible dispersing agent for graphite nanoflakes. Hydrothermally-produced nanocellulose (HTC) obtained by supercritical water treatment of microcrystalline cellulose, showed superior dispersing than the more conventional, mechanically-produced microfibrillated nanocellulose (MFC) alternative, effectively preventing nanoflake agglomeration. Thanks to the specific processing method, the HTC material displayed higher total surface energy and a favourable particle morphology. These properties resulted in a 2-fold reduction in the volume median colloidal particle size of nanographite in suspension upon addition of only 2 w/w% nanocellulose. The improved single particle dispersion within the suspension matrix could be observed microscopically and was reflected rheologically. The latter was achieved by parameterising the stress-shear rate response and fitting the linear segments displaying the suspension coupling response. Using chemical-free nanocellulose as dispersant in aqueous medium is a positive step toward the exfoliation of nanographite into graphene in a more affordable and environmentally-friendly way.
KW - Green chemistry
KW - Nanocellulose
KW - Nanographite
KW - Nanoparticle dispersion
KW - Supercritical water
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85096149408&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2020.125668
DO - 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2020.125668
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85096149408
SN - 0927-7757
VL - 610
JO - Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects
JF - Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects
M1 - 125668
ER -