Novel bionanocomposites: processing, properties and potential applications

Abstract

The demand for environmental sustainability has resulted in a great interest in finding new materials that are biodegradable and environmentally friendly. Therefore, materials derived from natural resources are now being extensively studied. Preparation of novel biocomposites based on nanocelluloses has drawn specific attention. It is expected that cellulose nanocomposites will open new areas for applications in medicine, packaging, electronics, the automotive sector, construction and other areas. This article presents a new research field of bionanocomposites where different types of nanocelluloses are used as reinforcements in biopolymers. Isolation of cellulose nanofibres and nanowhiskers from different sources, and processing technologies for the composites, are described and discussed. The main difficulty when producing cellulose based nanocomposites is to disperse the reinforcement in the polymer matrix without degradation of the biopolymer or the reinforcing phase. This can be addressed by improving the interaction (compatibility) between nanofibres and the matrix and by using suitable processing methods. The study of alignment of the nanocelluloses by using magnetic field is discussed and the nanocomposites' mechanical properties, based on the findings from different studies, are presented. Finally, some examples of future nanocomposites are discussed.

Nanocellulose in Thin Films, Coatings, and Plies for Packaging Applications: A Review

“…Also, there has been much interest and research related to cellulose fiber usage in composite materials for packaging (Johansson et al 2012;Faruk et al 2014). Research related to the use of nanocellulose in packaging applications also has been reviewed (Turbak et al 1983;Dufresne 2008Azeredo 2009;Eichhorn et al 2009;Oksman et al 2009;Habibi et al 2010;Siqueira et al 2010;Siro and Plackett 2010;Moon et al 2011;Olsson et al 2011;Petersen and Gatenholm 2011;Faruck et al 2012;Huber et al 2012;Khalil et al 2012Khalil et al , 2014Lavoine et al 2012;Freire et al 2013;Lopacka 2013;Paunonen 2013a,b;Sandquist 2013;Cowie et al 2014;Khan et al 2014a;Tammelin and Vartiainen 2014;Mihindukulasuriya and Lim 2014;Azizi Samir et al 2015;Hannon et al 2015;Li et al 2015a;Simao et al 2015;Gomez et al 2016;Khalil et al 2016). In particular, Lindström and Aulin (2014) reviewed research progress up to 2014, emphasizing some of the key unmet issues that are likely to continue to slow down progress in production-scale implementation of nanocellulose in packaging.…”

A Minireview of Cellulose Nanocrystals and Its Potential Integration as Co-Product in Bioethanol Production

“…Use of a magnetic field for the alignment of the nanocelluloses was discussed and the nanocomposites' mechanical properties, based on the findings from different studies and some examples of future nanocomposites, have been discussed. 63 Pure cotton was dispersed in sulfuric solution and, after stirring, centrifugation, dialysis, freeze-drying and sonication, the material was esterified and then an atom transfer radical polymerization with styrene was carried out to get cellulose-nanocrystal-g-polystyrene. By this method cellulose nanoparticles were produced with varying grafting densities (by altering the extent of initiator surface modification) and varying polymer brush length (through polymerization control).…”

Blendas PBSA/PCL reforçadas com nanowhiskers de celulose enxertados com PCL

“…Esse desafio fez com que as blendas e compósitos fossem processados em equipamentos com capacidade para pequenas massas e que simulam as condições de equipamentos utilizados em larga escala (JANOOBI et al 2010;JIANG et al 2008;OKSMAN;SAIN, 2009;TEN, 2011;MACHADO et al 2012). Exemplos dos corpos de prova obtidos de acordo com a norma ASTM 1708 são apresentados na figura 27.…”