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Updated: Feb 3, 2026

Towards Biomimicking Wood: Fabricated Free-standing Films of Nanocellulose, Lignin, and a Synthetic Polycation
Published on: June 17, 2014
Strong, Ductile, and Waterproof Cellulose Nanofibril Composite Films with Colloidal Lignin Particles
Muhammad Farooq1, Tao Zou1, Guillaume Riviere1
1Aalto University, School of Chemical Engineering , Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems , Vuorimiehentie 1 , 02150 Espoo , Finland.
Abstract:
Brittleness has hindered commercialization of cellulose nanofibril (CNF) films. The use of synthetic polymers and plasticizers is a known detour that impairs biodegradability and carbon footprint of the product. Herein, we utilize a variety of softwood Kraft lignin morphologies to obtain strong and ductile CNF nanocomposite films. An optimum 10 wt % content of colloidal lignin particles (CLPs) produced films with nearly double the toughness compared to a CNF film without lignin. CLPs rendered the films waterproof, provided antioxidant activity and UV-shielding with better visible light transmittance than obtained with irregular lignin aggregates. We conclude based on electron microscopy, dynamic water sorption analysis, and tp-DSC that homogeneously distributed CLPs act as ball bearing lubricating and stress transferring agents in the CNF matrix. Overall, our results open new avenues for the utilization of lignin nanoparticles in biopolymer composites equipped with versatile functionalities for applications in food packaging, water purification, and biomedicine.
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Colloids
Titration Calculations: Strong Acid - Strong Base
A titration is carried out for 25.00 mL of 0.100 M HCl (strong acid) with 0.100 M of a strong base NaOH. The pH at different volumes of added base solution can be calculated as follows:
(a) Titrant volume = 0 mL. The solution pH is due to the acid ionization of HCl. Because this is a strong acid, the ionization is complete and the hydronium ion molarity is 0.100 M. The pH of the solution is then:
Strong Acid and Base Solutions
Titration of a Strong Acid with a Strong Base
Colloids and Suspensions
Colloidal precipitates

