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Nanocellulose-Based Advanced Materials

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A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Advanced Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (16 July 2021) | Viewed by 15719

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Assist. Prof. Nathalie Lavoine

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Guest Editor

Department of Forest Biomaterials, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
Interests: cellulose nanomaterials; active/smart packaging; thermoresponsive polymers; controlled release system; biomass valorization; sustainable materials processing

Prof. Dr. Lucian Lucia

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Guest Editor

Departments of Forest Biomaterials, Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
Interests: green chemistry; smart biopolymeric materials; self-healing phenomena; drug delivery approaches; tissue engineering scaffolds; hydrogels
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Dear Colleagues,

From towels, tissues, diapers to packaging and particle-board, cellulose-based products are ubiquitous in our daily lives. Moreover, the past two decades have been privy to the emergence of a novel type of cellulose materials, nanocelluloses or cellulose nanomaterials. In addition to being renewable, biodegradable, and biocompatible, nanocelluloses have extended cellulose utilization possibilities to arenas well beyond our imagination. Their intrinsic value for utilization lies in their high strength-to-weight ratios, large surface areas, low coefficient of thermal expansions, and versatile chemistries, amongst other unique qualities. Such qualities endow them with the realizable potential to be used for a wide spectrum of applications spanning from packaging, art preservation, rheology modifiers for food, cement, and paint, to electronics, energy-storage devices, building insulation, and biomedical applications.

This Special Issue therefore aims at capturing the most salient recent developments in nanocellulose-based advanced materials by covering (i) the use of different cellulose sources for nanocellulose production, including biomass residues and lignin-containing pulps, (ii) relevant processing techniques to produce innovative nanocellulose-based advanced materials, (iii) any implemented (novel) characterization techniques, (iv) materials functional properties, and (v) target applications. Encouraged specific topics are: Structure–processing–property relationships of nanocellulose-based materials, use of green chemistry concepts, and nanocellulose-advanced materials for mass and heat transfer related applications.

Assist. Prof. Nathalie Lavoine
Assoc. Prof. Lucian Lucia
Guest Editors

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Keywords

nanocelluloses applications
advanced materials
structure–function relationships
green chemistry
thermal properties

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 4959 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mechanical Properties of Bio-Composites Based on Epoxy Resin and Nanocellulose Fibres

by Martyna Roszowska-Jarosz, Joanna Masiewicz, Marcin Kostrzewa, Wojciech Kucharczyk, Wojciech Żurowski, Justyna Kucińska-Lipka and Paweł Przybyłek

Materials 2021, 14(13), 3576; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14133576 - 26 Jun 2021

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 3150

Abstract

The aim of our research was to investigate the effect of a small nanocellulose (NC) addition on an improvement of the mechanical properties of epoxy composites. A procedure of chemical extraction from pressed lignin was used to obtain nanocellulose fibers. The presence of nanoparticles in the cellulose pulp was confirmed by FTIR/ATR spectra as well as measurement of nanocellulose particle size using a Zetasizer analyzer. Epoxy composites with NC contents from 0.5% to 1.5% w/w were prepared. The obtained composites were subjected to strength tests, such as impact strength (IS) and resistance to three-point bending with a determination of critical stress intensity factor (Kc). The impact strength of nanocellulose composites doubled in comparison to the unmodified epoxy resin (EP 0). Moreover, Kc was increased by approximately 50% and 70% for the 1.5 and 0.5% w/w NC, respectively. The maximum value of stress at break was achieved at 1% NC concentration in EP and it was 15% higher than that for unmodified epoxy resin. The highest value of destruction energy was characterized by the composition with 0.5% NC and corresponds to the increase of 102% in comparison with EP 0. Based on the analysis of the results it was noted that satisfactory improvement of the mechanical properties of the composite was achieved with a very small addition of nanofiller while other research indicates the need to add much more nanocellulose. It is also expected that this kind of use of raw materials will allow increasing the economic efficiency of the nanocomposite preparation process. Moreover, nanocomposites obtained in this way can be applied as elements of machines or as a modified epoxy matrix for sandwich composites, enabling production of the structure material with reduced weight but improved mechanical properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanocellulose-Based Advanced Materials)

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18 pages, 4544 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Laminated Wallboard Panels Made with Cellulose Nanofibrils as a Binder: Production and Properties

by Islam Hafez and Mehdi Tajvidi

Materials 2020, 13(6), 1303; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13061303 - 13 Mar 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3627

Abstract

This study explored the development and characterization of laminated wallboard panels using renewable materials for building applications. The panels are based on cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) as a binder and wood particles. Other additives included FiberLean^TM (microfibrillated cellulose/calcium carbonate composite), starch and fire retardant (boric acid/borax). These panels are also intended to address the environmental concerns of commercial gypsum boards. The manufacturing of the panels is via a wet-based process; hence no initial drying was required to remove the water from the CNF. It was found that the dosage of CNF (and/or FiberLean^TM) binder and the addition of starch had the largest impact upon the quality of the final product. The addition of starch was found more favorable in the presence of FiberLean^TM. The fire retardancy was induced by adding boric acid/borax (1:1). The burning test revealed that the panels treated with the fire retardant exhibited excellent burning properties comparable to that of gypsum board (inherently fire resistant). Interestingly, the addition of the boric acid/borax also appeared to increase the retention of starch in the system, leading to favorable mechanical properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanocellulose-Based Advanced Materials)

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12 pages, 3047 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Structure-Property Relationships in Hybrid Cellulose Nanofibrils/Nafion-Based Ionic Polymer-Metal Composites

by Colin Noonan, Mehdi Tajvidi, Ali H. Tayeb, Mohsen Shahinpoor and Seyed Ehsan Tabatabaie

Materials 2019, 12(8), 1269; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12081269 - 18 Apr 2019

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3849

Abstract

Herein, we report the production of ionic polymer-metal composites (IPMCs) hybridized with cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) as a partial substitute for Nafion^®. The aim is not only to reduce the production cost and enhance respective mechanical/thermal properties but also to bestow a considerable degree of biodegradability to such products. Formulations with different CNF/Nafion^® ratios were produced in a thin-film casting process. Crack-free films were air-dried and plated by platinum (Pt) through an oxidation-reduction reaction. The produced hybrids were analyzed in terms of thermal stability, mechanical and morphological aspects to examine their performance compared to the Nafion-based IPMC prior to plating process. Results indicated that films with higher CNF loadings had improved tensile strengths and elastic moduli but reduced ductility. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that the incorporation of CNF to the matrix reduced its thermal stability almost linearly, however, the onset of decomposition point remained above 120 °C, which was far above the temperature the composite membrane is expected to be exposed to. The addition of a cross-linking agent to the formulations helped with maintaining the integrity of the membranes during the plating process, thereby improving surface conductivity. The focus of the current study was on the physical and morphological properties of the films, and the presented data advocate the potential utilization of CNF as a nontoxic and sustainable bio-polymer for blending with perfluorosulfonic acid-based co-polymers, such as Nafion^®, to be used in electroactive membranes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanocellulose-Based Advanced Materials)

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12 pages, 2262 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Conductive Cellulose based Foam Formed 3D Shapes—From Innovation to Designed Prototype

by Sanna Siljander, Pasi Keinänen, Anastasia Ivanova, Jani Lehmonen, Sampo Tuukkanen, Mikko Kanerva and Tomas Björkqvist

Materials 2019, 12(3), 430; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12030430 - 31 Jan 2019

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4328

Abstract

In this article, we introduce for the first time, a method to manufacture cellulose based electrically conductive non-woven three-dimensional (3D) structures using the foam forming technology. The manufacturing is carried out using a minimum amount of processing steps, materials, and hazardous chemicals. The optimized solution applies a single surfactant type and a single predefined portion for the two main processing steps: (1) the dispersing of nanocellulose (NC) and carbon nanotubes (CNT) and (2) the foam forming process. The final material system has a concentration of the used surfactant that is not only sufficient to form a stable and homogeneous nanoparticle dispersion, but it also results in stable foam in foam forming. In this way, the advantages of the foam forming process can be maximized for this application. The cellulose based composite material has a highly even distribution of CNTs over the NC network, resulting a conductivity level of 7.7 S/m, which increased to the value 8.0 S/m after surfactant removal by acetone washing. Also, the applicability and a design product case ‘Salmiakki’ were studied where the advantages of the material system were validated for a heating element application. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanocellulose-Based Advanced Materials)

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