Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 10, 2026
Towards Biomimicking Wood: Fabricated Free-standing Films of Nanocellulose, Lignin, and a Synthetic Polycation
Published on: June 17, 2014
Strong and Stiff: High-Performance Cellulose Nanocrystal/Poly(vinyl alcohol) Composite Fibers
Won Jun Lee, Adam J Clancy, Eero Kontturi1,2
1Department of Forest Products Technology, School of Chemical Technology, Aalto University , P.O. Box 16300, Aalto FI-00076, Finland.
Abstract:
The mechanical properties of rodlike cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) suggest great potential as bioderived reinforcement in (nano)composites. Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH) is a useful industrial material and very compatible with CNC chemistry. High performance CNC/PVOH composite fibers were produced coaxial coagulation spinning, followed by hot-drawing. We showed that CNCs increase the alignment and crystallinity of PVOH, as well as providing direct reinforcement, leading to enhanced fiber strength and stiffness. At 40 wt % CNC loading, the strength and stiffness reached 880 MPa and 29.9 GPa, exceeding the properties of most other nanocellulose based composite fibers previously reported.
