Biomimetics are a strong tool to develop new materials. The nacre-mimic organic/inorganic nanocomposites are one of them, exhibiting superior material properties by the structure-induced synergistic effects. The nacre-mimic materials are generally composed of clay nanoplatelets and organic polymers. In the present study, we prepared composite films of TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibrils (TOCNs) and clay nanoplatelets simply by casting and drying those aqueous dispersions. These composite films are optically transparent, and have quite high mechanical strengths and excellent oxygen-barrier properties. Tensile strengths and Young's modulus of the composite films were more than 300 MPa and 10 GPa, respectively. Oxygen transmission rate of the composite-coated PET films (composite: 1 �m, PET: 50 �m) are as low as 0.0007 mL m-2 day-1 kPa-1 under dry conditions.

Ultrastrong and high gas-barrier biocomposite films of TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibrils and clay nanoplatelets

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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