We report the formation and characterization of unique hydrogels from an aqueous suspension of crystalline cellulose nanofibers only by alkaline treatment. Unlike conventional polymer hydrogels, the network of our hydrogels consisted of crystalline nanofibers without dissolving. Moreover, the nanofiber suspensions were converted into two kinds of hydrogels with different crystal forms in response to the increasing concentration of sodium hydroxide. Here we measured the morphology and mechanical properties of the cellulose nanofiber-based hydrogels with two crystal forms.

Formation and characterization of hydrogels prepared from cellulose nanofibers

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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