Hydrodynamic alignment and assembly of nanofibrils resulting in strong cellulose filaments

• DOI: 10.1038/ncomms5018
• Publication Date: 2014-06-02T13:40:33Z
• Authors: Karl M. O. Håkansson; Andreas B. Fall; Fredrik Lundell; Shun Yu; Christina Krywka; Stephan V. Roth; Gonzalo Santoro; Mathias Kvick; Lisa Prahl Wittberg; Lars Wågberg; L. Daniel Söderberg
• Keywords: Nanofibers; Water; Biocompatible Materials; 02 engineering and technology; Wood; 01 natural sciences; Article; Nanostructures; 0104 chemical sciences; 13. Climate action; Hydrodynamics; Cellulose; 0210 nano-technology; info:eu-repo/classification/ddc/500

Abstract Cellulose nanofibrils can be obtained from trees and have considerable potential as a building block for biobased materials. In order to achieve good properties of these materials, the nanostructure must controlled. Here we present process combining hydrodynamic alignment with dispersion–gel transition that produces homogeneous smooth filaments low-concentration dispersion cellulose in water. The preferential fibril orientation along filament direction controlled by parameters. specific ultimate strength is considerably higher than previously reported made nanofibrils. even line strongest pulp fibres extracted wood same degree alignment. Successful nanoscale before gelation demands proper separation timescales involved. Somewhat surprisingly, device not too small if this achieved.