High performance cellulosic fiber composites were constructed using the papermaking process with nanocellulose used as additive. Nanocellulose were combined at different concentration with suspensions of eucalyptus fibers- with or without polyamideamine-epichlorohydrin (PAE) - drained and dried. The mechanical, permeability and morphology of the composites were measured. Three types of nanocellulose were investigated: Nanocellulose crystal (NCC), microfibrillated cellulose (MFC), cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) made from ball milling. The properties of the cellulose fiber composites are analysed in terms of nanocellulose concentration, length scale and polymer/nanofiber surface coverage and complex formation. The three types of nanocellulose improved the composites dry strength substantially with or without PAE, and resulted in low porosity of composites. The higher wet strength of MFC and CNF composites were obtained with 10 mg PAE/g fibers, comparing to NCC composite. The increase of the MFC ratio in the composites resulted in longer drainage time and a less porous structure. In the presence of PAE (2 and 10 mg/g fibers), the drainage and air permeability of the composites were affected differently by fiber flocculation.

Role of nanocellulose in paper engineering

247th National Meeting (2014)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.