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Modification and Functionalization of the Guanidine Group by Tailor-made Precursors
Published on: April 27, 2017
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Tailoring water stability of cellulose nanopaper by surface functionalization
Alessandra Operamolla1, Stefano Casalini, Dario Console
1Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4, I-70126 Bari, Italy. alessandra.operamolla@uniba.it.
Soft Matter
|September 11, 2018
Summary
Hydrophobization of cellulose nanopaper (CNP) using lauroyl chloride enhances its water resistance. This modified nanopaper (C12-CNP) is suitable for thin film devices in humid environments.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Surface Chemistry
Background:
- Cellulose nanopaper (CNP) offers excellent properties like transparency and thermal stability, surpassing conventional paper.
- However, CNP's susceptibility to swelling in water limits its application in aqueous or humid environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a water-resistant cellulose nanopaper for applications requiring moisture resilience.
- To investigate the surface modification of CNP using lauroyl chloride for enhanced hydrophobicity.
Main Methods:
- Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were isolated from Avicel via acid hydrolysis and formed into freestanding nanopaper.
- Surface hydrophobization was achieved through wet treatment with lauroyl chloride.
- Characterization involved elemental analysis, FT-IR, Raman spectroscopy, XRD, AFM, FE-SEM, and water contact angle measurements.
- Electrochemical permeation experiments assessed water resistance.
Main Results:
- Lauroyl chloride treatment successfully rendered the cellulose nanopaper surface hydrophobic.
- The modified nanopaper (C12-CNP) exhibited a more compact surface morphology compared to pristine CNP.
- C12-CNP demonstrated significantly enhanced resistance to water penetration.
Conclusions:
- Surface hydrophobization via lauroyl chloride is an effective strategy to improve the water resistance of cellulose nanopaper.
- The developed C12-CNP is a promising material for fabricating thin film devices intended for use in humid conditions.
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