Treatment of nanocellulose by submerged liquid plasma for surface functionalization

What is it about?

Tailoring the surface properties of nanocellulose to improve the compatibility of components in polymer nanocomposites is of great interest. In this work, dispersions of nanocellulose in water and acetonitrile were functionalized by submerged plasmas, with the aim of increasing the quality of this reinforcing agent in biopolymer composite materials. Both the morphology and surface chemistry of nanocellulose were influenced by the application of a plasma torch and filamentary jet plasma in a liquid suspension of nanocellulose. Depending on the type of plasma source and gas mixture the surface chemistry was modified by the incorporation of oxygen and nitrogen containing functional groups. The treatment conditions which lead to nanocellulose based polymer nanocomposites with superior mechanical properties were identified. This work provides a new eco-friendly method for the surface functionalization of nanocellulose directly in water suspension, thus overcoming the disadvantages of chemical treatments.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

This work provides a new eco-friendly method for the surface functionalization of nanocellulose with plasma directly in water suspension, thus overcoming the disadvantages of chemical treatments. Liquid suspensions of nanocellulose were functionalized by submerged plasmas, a plasma torch and filamentary jet plasma for tailoring the surface properties of nanocellulose and for improving the compatibility with polymer matrices.