High-Throughput Tailoring of Nanocellulose Films: From Complex Bio-Based Materials to Defined Multifunctional Architectures

Abstract

This paper demonstrates a high-throughput approach to fabricate nanocellulose films with multifunctional performance using conventionally existing unit operations. The approach comprises cast-coating and direct interfacial atmospheric plasma-assisted gas-phase modification along with the microscale patterning technique (nanoimprint lithography, NIL), all applied in roll-to-roll mode, to introduce organic functionalities in conjunction with structural manipulation. Our strategy results in multifunctional cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) films in which the high optical transmittance (∼90%) is retained while the haze can be adjusted (2–35%). Concomitantly, the hydrophobic/hydrophilic balance can be tuned (50–21 mJ/m 2 with the water contact angle ranging from ∼20 up to ∼120°), while intrinsic hygroscopicity of CNF films is not significantly compromised. Therefore, a challenge to produce multifunctional bio-based materials with properties defined by various high-performance applications conjoined to the lack of efficient processing strategies is elucidated. Overall, economically and ecologically viable strategy, which was realized by facile and upscalable unit operations using the R2R technology, is introduced to expand the properties’ spaces and thus offer a vast variety of interesting applications for CNF films.

Pilot-scale modification of polyethersulfone membrane with a size and charge selective nanocellulose layer

“…At present, most of the nanocellulose-based coatings, films, or membrane modification strategies are based on laboratory scale or batch production of the materials, [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31] although printing and papermaking companies have prioritised nanocellulose-based coatings over their synthetic counterparts [32,33]. Transferring the lab-scale approaches to continuous production lines is usually considered a major challenge, [34] which is reflected by only a limited amount of approaches attempted to be translated into industrially viable unit operations [35]. Scalable, organic solvent-free methods to prepare nanocellulose films have been developed [36,37] and the films can be further surface modified e.g.…”

Matching the Cellulose/Silica Films Surface Properties for Design of Biomaterials That Modulate Extracellular Matrix

“…At the same time, the percentage of oxygen increases as a result of the enrichment with oxygen belonging to TEOS, but also of the air exposure of sample, while the level of carbon due to carbon contaminants decreases. These results indicate that the arrangements in the casting solutions tend to form a SiO 2 -like structure [33,34].…”

Plant‐Based Structures as an Opportunity to Engineer Optical Functions in Next‐Generation Light Management

“…When white light propagated through the microstructures, blue, red, and green diffraction colors were observed, demonstrating the potential for optics and electronics applications. [ 265–268 ]…”

“…[ 350 ] One way to protect devices from water would be the application of superhydrophobic coatings [ 351 ] or surface patterning, for instance using lithography with potential for multifunctional pattern structures that also give optical functions (see Section 5). [ 268 ] The more challenging aspect, however, is addressing the water vapor and oxygen penetration, which becomes increasingly problematic for cellulosic substrates as a function of relative humidity. Surface coatings offering sufficient barrier properties have been reached with atomic layer deposition (ALD) which blocks even the smallest cavities, or by coating with a polymeric water barrier layer.…”