Cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) can be prepared by mechanical shearing action such as grinding and high pressure homogenizing. The application field of CNF would be extended through a surface modification process. In this study, the surface of CNF was modified by LbL (Layer-by-Layer) multilayering technique with polyelectrolytes and its effects on the surface charge property and the dewatering ability of suspension were investigated. The dewatering ability is important for CNF suspension because CNF has high water holding capacity so that it is difficult to remove the water from suspension. Polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (PDADMAC) and poly-sodium 4-styrene sulfonate (PSS) were used as polyelectrolytes in LbL multilayering under different addition level and washing conditions. The LbL multilayered CNF had strong cationic or anionic charge with the involving of washing process in every adsorption stage and the drainage of suspension was not affected. When no washing treatment or washing in the final adsorption stage was carried out, the zeta potential of CNF was close to the neutral charge point, and then the dewatering ability of suspension was increased significantly. Low dosage of polyelectrolytes also showed the similar results. The mixed CNF suspension with opposite charge showed the improved dewatering ability as well as stronger network strength due to the flocculation.<br/>Acknowledgement: This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (NRF-2012R1A2A2A01011091).<br/>

LbL (layer-by-layer) multilayering on cellulose nanofibrils and its effects on surface charge and suspension dewatering

249th National Meeting (2015)

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