Methyl cellulose/cellulose nanocrystal nanocomposite fibers with high ductility

Abstract

Methylcellulose/cellulose nanocrystal (MC/CNC) nanocomposite fibers showing high ductility and high modulus of toughness were prepared by a simple aqueous wet-spinning from corresponding nanocomposite hydrogels into ethanol coagulation bath followed by drying. The hydrogel MC aq. concentration was maintained at 1 wt-% while the CNC aq. loading was systematically varied in the range 0 -3 wt-%. This approach resulted in MC/CNC fiber compositions from 25/75 wt-%/wt-% to 95/5 wt-%/wt-%. The optimal mechanical properties were achieved with the MC/CNC composition of 80/20 wt-%/wt-% allowing high strain (36.1 %) and modulus of toughness (48.3 MJ/m 3 ), still keeping a high strength (190 MPa). Further, we demonstrate that the continuous spinning of MC/CNC fibers is potentially possible. The results indicate possibilities to spin MC-based highly ductile composite fibers from environmentally benign aqueous solvents.

Luminescent Gold Nanocluster‐Methylcellulose Composite Optical Fibers with Low Attenuation Coefficient and High Photostability

“…For the fiber matrix, the aqueous dispersions of commercial MC polymer (MW 88 000 g mol −1 , degree of substitution 1.5–1.9) were prepared according to reported procedures (Figure 1a). [ 63,64 ] The system to spin fibers from aqueous dispersions and hydrogels is shown schematically in Figure 1b. For the optical functionalities, the synthesis of luminescent gold nanoclusters Au@BSA and Au@GSH was carried out using HAuCl 4 ·3H 2 O in the presence of BSA and GSH ligands, respectively (Figure 1c–h).…”

“…The mechanical properties of the MC polymer networks can be altered by adding nanoparticles, such as cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) or chitin nanocrystals offering a facile route for composite nanomaterials. [ 63–65 ] Moreover, cellulose‐gold nanoparticle composites have been studied for their catalytic performance, sensing, and optoelectronic properties. [ 66 ] Among gold nanoparticles, atomically precise gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) have recently gained considerable attention because of their well‐defined structure, photostability, nontoxicity, and biocompatibility.…”

Nanocellulose: Recent Fundamental Advances and Emerging Biological and Biomimicking Applications

“…200 MPa can be spun from water as a benign medium. [ 355 ] Therefore the CNC nanocomposite fibers allow highly tunable functional and processing properties.…”

Chirality from Cryo-Electron Tomograms of Nanocrystals Obtained by Lateral Disassembly and Surface Etching of Never-Dried Chitin

“…Using the example of CNC, its loading in methyl cellulose/CNC composite fibers cannot be increased without early cholesteric/chiral nematic tactoid formation in the mixed suspension, leading to a limited mechanical performance. 52 Therefore, unidirectionally oriented nanocrystals in a nematic liquid crystal can be of interest as a precursor to create biobased, defect-free fibers with high mechanical strength. 53 In sum, as deacetylation generates surface amines in never-dried DE-Chitin, less bundled chitin microfibrils form during HCl treatment, which is the result of electrostatic repulsion and lateral disassembly that stabilize individual nanocrystals.…”