Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 28, 2026

Towards Biomimicking Wood: Fabricated Free-standing Films of Nanocellulose, Lignin, and a Synthetic Polycation
Published on: June 17, 2014
Comparison of multilayer formation between different cellulose nanofibrils and cationic polymers
Paula Eronen1, Janne Laine, Janne Ruokolainen
1Department of Forest Products Technology, School of Chemical Technology, Aalto University, Aalto, Finland. paula.eronen@aalto.fi
Researchers explored creating tailored materials using charged nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) in multilayer formations. They found that NFC charge and polyelectrolyte properties significantly tune multilayer structures and interactions.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Multilayer formation using oppositely charged polyelectrolytes enables the creation of novel tailored materials.
- Incorporating charged nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) into these systems expands the range of achievable material properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) charge and cationic polyelectrolyte properties on multilayer structure.
- To compare the behavior of cationic NFC with conventional cationic polyelectrolytes like poly(dimethyldiallylammoniumchloride) and cationic starch.
Main Methods:
- Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation (QCM-D) was employed to monitor multilayer formation.
- Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) colloidal probe microscopy (CPM) was utilized to probe surface interactions and layer properties.
Main Results:
- The study confirmed characteristic multilayer formation between NFC of varying charges, demonstrating tunability of multilayer properties.
- A strong non-electrostatic affinity between cellulosic fibrils was observed.
- CPM measurements indicated monotonically repulsive forces, aligning with QCM-D observations, with increased adhesion noted for swollen, highly charged NFC.
Conclusions:
- Tailoring multilayer structures and properties is achievable by varying NFC charge and polyelectrolyte characteristics.
- Non-electrostatic interactions play a significant role in cellulosic multilayer systems.
- Understanding these interactions is crucial for designing advanced NFC-based materials.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Cellulose and Pectic Polysaccharides
As a cell matures, its cell wall specializes according to its type. For example, the parenchyma cells of...
Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview
Polymers
Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

