The transition from a fluid state to a viscoelastic solid following a concentration increase of nanocellulose (NC) dispersions has been investigated. It was observed that the aspect ratio of the NC is a key parameter for the transition concentration. The transition was observed to be largely reversible, which was shown as a self-dispersion of the particles upon dilution, indicating the formation a colloidal glass, which is characterized as a network governed by repulsive interparticle interactions. The results also show that the glass state could be transformed to a gel state, <i>i.e.</i> a network governed by attractive interparticle interactions, by the addition of salt or acid, forming a non-redispersible viscoelastic solid. Deviation from classical models for nano-colloids, such as the classical DLVO-theory, will also be discussed in order to better understand the properties of NC colloids.

Colloidal gels and glasses from nanocelluloses

2019 Spring National Meeting

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