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Modification of nanofibrillated cellulose using amphiphilic block-structured galactoglucomannans
Alina Lozhechnikova1, Daniel Dax2, Jari Vartiainen3
1Department of Forest Products Technology, School of Chemical Technology, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16300, FI-0076 Aalto, Finland.
Carbohydrate Polymers
|June 8, 2014
Summary
Modified hemicelluloses (galactoglucomannan derivatives) effectively coated nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) films. This surface modification improved wetting properties and reduced oxygen permeability (OP) for enhanced biocomposite applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Surface Chemistry
Background:
- Nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) and hemicelluloses are promising renewable materials for biocomposites and barrier applications.
- Their inherent hydrophilicity limits performance in certain environments.
- Surface modification is crucial to expand their application range.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the use of amphiphilic O-acetyl galactoglucomannan (GGM) derivatives for modifying NFC surface properties.
- To synthesize GGM derivatives with hydrophobic tails (fatty acids or polydimethylsiloxane).
- To evaluate the impact of GGM surface modification on NFC film wetting and oxygen permeability.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of four amphiphilic GGM derivatives.
- Adsorption studies using quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D).
- Preparation and surface characterization of self-standing NFC films coated with GGM derivatives.
- Assessment of wetting properties and oxygen permeability (OP) of modified NFC films.
Main Results:
- Amphiphilic GGM derivatives adsorbed effectively onto cellulose, attributed to the native GGM block's affinity.
- Hydrophobic tails did not impede adsorption to the NFC surface.
- Surface modification altered wetting properties and significantly reduced oxygen permeability (OP) of NFC films.
Conclusions:
- Amphiphilic GGM derivatives are suitable for modifying NFC surfaces, enhancing their barrier properties.
- The GGM block's affinity for cellulose facilitates effective surface functionalization.
- This approach offers a pathway to develop advanced, hydrophobic biocomposites from renewable resources.
