Cellulose nanofibers offer unique intrinsic properties and huge potential to be assembled into outstanding functional materials. However, current limitations in chemical surface engineering of celluloses still hamper the advancement in this field. These challenges are closely related to the hygroscopicity of the cellulose and the moderate reactivity of cellulosics hydroxyl groups. In this contribution, we introduce new concepts for chemical modification of wet celluloses. We demonstrate that diffusion-limited reactions at high consistency can increase considerably the resource-efficiency, sustainability and kinetics of surface reactions; and elaborate the role of the confined hydration layer in such reactions. Based on this, we show how confined chemical reactions can be controlled by the state of hydration, among others to enable selective chemical surface esterifications. Finally, we propose new straight-forward avenues to functional (nano)celluloses, which allow precise tuning of their surface chemistry, under mild, sustainable and aqueous conditions. We expect that these new methods will support in advancing currently used (nano)cellulose modification protocols, and the development of future high-performance materials.

Overcoming Current Limitations in (Nano)Cellulose Chemistry

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

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