Optical Properties of Self‐Assembled Cellulose Nanocrystals Films Suspended at Planar–Symmetrical Interfaces

Hierarchically structured materials comprising rod‐like, chiral, nanoparticles are commonly encountered in nature as they can form assemblies with exceptional optical and mechanical characteristics. These include cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), which have a large potential for the fabrication of bioinspired materials mimicking those advanced properties. Fine‐tuning the optomechanical properties of assemblies obtained from CNCs hinges on the transformations from suspensions of liquid crystals to long‐range order in the dry state. So far, associated transitions have been studied using trivial interfaces such as planar substrates. Such transitions are explored as they evolve onto meshed supports. The meshed substrate offers a complex topology, as is encountered in nature, for the formation of CNCs films. The CNCs self‐assembly occurs under confinement and support of the framework bounding the mesh openings. This leads to coexisting suspended and supported nanoparticle layers exhibiting nematic and/or chiral nematic order. Optical microscopy combined with crossed polarizers indicate that the formation of the suspended films occurs via intermediate gelation or kinetic arrest of CNCs across the mesh's open areas. The formation of self‐standing, ultrathin films of CNCs with tunable optical properties, such as selective reflections in the visible range (structural color), is demonstrated by using the presented simple and scalable approach.     

Freestanding hierarchical porous carbon film derived from hybrid nanocellulose for high-power supercapacitors

Nanocellulose is a sustainable and eco-friendly nanomaterial derived from renewable biomass.In this study,we utilized the structural advantages of two types of nanocellulose and fabricated freestanding carbonized hybrid nanocellulose films as electrode materials for supercapacitors.The long cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) formed a macroporous framework,and the short cellulose nanocrystals were assembled around the CNF framework and generated micro/mesopores.This two-level hierarchical porous structure was successfully preserved during carbonization because of a thin atomic layer deposited (ALD) Al2O3 conformal coating,which effectively prevented the aggregation of nanocellulose.These carbonized,partially graphitized nanocellulose fibers were interconnected,forming an integrated and highly conductive network with a large specific surface area of 1,244 m2·g-1.The two-level hierarchical porous structure facilitated fast ion transport in the film.When tested as an electrode material with a high mass loading of 4 mg·cm-2 for supercapacitors,the hierarchical porous carbon film derived from hybrid nanocellulose exhibited a specific capacitance of 170 F.g-1and extraordinary performance at high current densities.Even at a very high current of 50 A·g-1,it retained 65％ of its original specific capacitance,which makes it a promising electrode material for high-power applications.     

Polylactide latex/nanofibrillated cellulose bionanocomposites of high nanofibrillated cellulose content and nanopaper network structure prepared by a papermaking route

Previous attempts to use polylactide (PLA) latex particles and nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) in papermaking processing have been limited to low NFC content. In the present study, a bionanocomposite material was successfully produced using a PLA latex and NFC. The components were mixed using a wet mixing method and bionanocomposite films were made by filtration followed by hot pressing. In composite materials, the dispersion of the reinforcing component in the matrix is critical for the material properties. Biopolymers such as PLA are non-polar and soluble only in organic solvents; NFC is, however, highly hydrophilic. By utilizing latex, i.e., an aqueous dispersion of biopolymer micro-particles, wet mixing is possible and the problem of aggregation of the hydrophilic nanocellulose in organic solvent is avoided. The properties of the resulting NFC/PLA latex bionanocomposite films were analyzed. Thorough blending resulted in good dispersion of the reinforcing component within the matrix. Adding increasing amounts of NFC improved the Young's modulus, tensile strength, and strain at break of the bionanocomposite material. The increase in the tensile properties was linear with increasing NFC content as a result of the good dispersion. The NFC also improved the thermal stability of the bionanocomposite material. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Reinforcement of polypropylene with lignocellulose nanofibrils and compatibilization with biobased polymers

Freeze‐dried and milled lignocellulose nanofibrils (LCNF) were used to reinforce polypropylene (PP) nanocomposites. The LCNF, containing up to 9% lignin, was obtained from residual Empty Palm Fruit Bunch (EPFB) fibers. Soy protein isolate (SPI) and hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) were tested as coupling agents as well as maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP), which was used as a reference. A good level of dispersion of LCNF in the PP matrix while mechanical testing and thermal analyses indicated an improvement of the thermo‐mechanical behavior of the nanocomposites was revealed upon loading of the lignin‐containing nanofibrils. The tensile modulus of PP was increased by 15% upon the addition of 1% LCNF with SPI as a compatibilizer. Likewise, the thermal stability of the composites was most markedly enhanced. Overall, LCNF and SPI, two important bioresources, are introduced here for the development of novel and cost‐effective PP‐based composites. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43854.     

双重动态共价键交联纳米纤维素导电水凝胶及其柔性传感器

自愈合导电水凝胶因其良好的自愈合性能与导电性能,在柔性可穿戴设备中具有巨大的应用前景。以4-甲酰基苯硼酸(Bn)交联聚乙烯醇(PVA)和聚乙烯亚胺(PEI)构建基于硼酸酯键和亚胺键的双重动态交联水凝胶网络,引入聚吡咯修饰的纤维素纳米纤维(PPy@CNF)构建了具有良好自愈合和导电性的PBP-PPy@CNF纳米复合水凝胶。结果表明,当PPy@CNF的质量分数为0.8%时,水凝胶的力学性能最佳,其最大应力可达6.65kPa,断裂拉伸应变可达2080%,电导率为2174μS/m。基于该水凝胶的电阻式传感器具有良好的稳定性和重复性,在应变检测范围0～800%内,灵敏因子GF可分为三个线性响应区域,分别是0～200%(GF₁=2.82)、200%～600%(GF₂=7.15)和600%～800%(GF₃=12.85),该传感器能有效检测人体不同部位的运动,可应用于可穿戴传感设备。     

纳米纤维素气凝胶构建及其过滤聚苯乙烯微塑料性能研究

以漂白桉木浆为原料,分别通过2,2,6,6-四甲基哌啶氧化物（TEMPO）和2,3-环氧丙基三甲基氯化铵（EPTMAC）对其化学改性,并借助高压均质处理得到改性纤维素纳米纤丝（CNF）,最后采用冷冻干燥法制备得到改性CNF气凝胶。研究了聚苯乙烯微塑料（PSMPs）种类和浓度对改性CNF气凝胶过滤性能的影响。结果表明,EPTMAC改性气凝胶（QCNF）对羧基化聚苯乙烯（PS-COOH）的过滤效率为99%;TEMPO氧化改性气凝胶（TCNF）对氨基化聚苯乙烯（PS-NH₂）的过滤效率为75%。改性CNF气凝胶对PSMPs的过滤性能得益于材料本身的超亲水性、独特的三维多孔结构和表面丰富的活性结合位点。此外,QCNF气凝胶经过8次循环过滤后,QCNF气凝胶对PS-COOH的过滤效率始终保持在99%以上,过滤通量稳定且超过20.2 L/（m²·h）,具有良好的稳定性和可重复利用性。     

木素对TEMPO氧化竹浆制备纳米纤维素的影响

以卡伯值不同的2种未漂硫酸盐竹浆(卡伯值为25.5和11.7的竹浆分别标记为SHK和SLK)为原料,通过TEMPO/NaBr/NaClO体系氧化及高压均质处理,制备了TEMPO氧化纳米纤维素(TOCN),并利用抽滤法制备TOCN膜。系统地研究了2种竹浆的TEMPO氧化过程、TEMPO氧化浆性能、TOCN性能及TOCN膜的力学性能等,探讨了木素对竹浆TEMPO氧化过程和TOCN制备的影响。结果表明,SHK的TEMPO氧化速率高于SLK,但SLK-TEMPO氧化浆的羧基含量达到1.01 mmol/g,高于SHK-TEMPO氧化浆的羧基含量(0.89 mmol/g)。2种TOCN形态结构差异不大,均呈纤丝状结构,直径约为5～8 nm,长径比>100,且均保持纤维素I的晶型结构;SLK-TOCN的结晶度和悬浮液的透光度均略高于SHK-TOCN。2种TOCN膜均具有优良的光学性能和力学性能,SLK-TOCN膜的杨氏模量、拉伸强度及裂断伸长率分别为2.6 GPa、92 MPa和10.9%,均高于SHK-TOCN膜的2.4 GPa、90 MPa和8.7%。     

天丝空气滤纸的制备及其性能研究

本研究选取打浆度为23°SR天丝纤维与阔叶木纤维为原料配抄制备滤纸,通过浆内添加发泡剂和表面涂布纤维素纳米纤丝(CNF)的方法优化滤纸的过滤性能,并对滤纸的物理及过滤性能等进行了研究.结果表明,当天丝纤维质量分数为60％时,制备的滤纸对PM2.5的过滤效率达98.97％,过滤阻力为146.7 Pa,品质因子为0.311...     

超级电容器中纳米纤维素基电极的研究进展

纳米纤维素机械强度高、密度低且表面含有可化学改性的羟基官能团,可作为组装高性能超级电容器电极的优选材料。本文综述了纳米纤维素与导电聚合物、过渡金属氧化物等活性材料制备超级电容器软材料和碳基复合电极的机理,对冷冻干燥、碳化、原位聚合、过滤、涂覆等组装方法进行了详细讨论,并对纳米纤维素基电极的机械性能和电化学性能进行了对比和分析。最后,对纳米纤维素基电极在超级电容器中的应用前景进行了展望。