Photocured Nanocellulose Composites: Recent Advances

Abstract

This perspective gives an overview of recent progress in the field of photocured polymer composites based on various forms of nanocelluloses, with a focus on cellulose nanofibrils. The manufacturing processes and performances of these nanocellulose composites are detailed, comprising solvent-assisted mixing processes, emulsification, coating and casting processes, preform impregnation, and 3D printing. Attention is also paid to life-cycle engineered approaches to improve their sustainability. These materials find applications in numerous domains, primarily as protective coatings but also as diffusion barrier composites and films for packaging and encapsulation of electronics, as composite hydrogels for biomedical applications, and as membranes for battery technologies.

Enhancing the matrix-fiber interface with a surfactant leads to improved performance properties of 3D printed composite materials containing cellulose nanofibrils

“…Recent advances in photocured composites containing cellulose nanomaterials, including those generated via 3D printing by stereolithography, have been extensively reviewed. 16 Those incorporating nanofibrils include aerogels and/or hydrogels for tissue engineering, 17,18 cell adhesion, 19 and complex-shaped 3D printed scaffolds. 20 The major challenge identified in incorporating TOCNFs is the hydrophilic nature of nanocellulose and its affinity for aggregation via hydrogen bonding.…”

“…20 The major challenge identified in incorporating TOCNFs is the hydrophilic nature of nanocellulose and its affinity for aggregation via hydrogen bonding. 16 Accordingly, Sajab and coworkers showed that surface modification of CNF with PEO afforded enhanced mechanical properties to 3D printed composites. Polyurethanebased SLA resins modified with 3% CNF-PEO showed an increase in tensile strength (24%) and stiffness (10%), although weight loading above 3% CNF reduced the mechanical properties of the composites.…”

Enhancing the Matrix–Fiber Interface with a Surfactant Leads to Improved Performance Properties of 3D Printed Composite Materials Containing Cellulose Nanofibrils

“…Recent advances in photocured composites containing cellulose nanomaterials, including those generated via 3D printing by stereolithography, have been extensively reviewed . Those incorporating nanofibrils include aerogels and/or hydrogels for tissue engineering, , cell adhesion, and complex-shaped 3D printed scaffolds .…”

“…Those incorporating nanofibrils include aerogels and/or hydrogels for tissue engineering, , cell adhesion, and complex-shaped 3D printed scaffolds . The major challenge identified in incorporating TOCNFs is the hydrophilic nature of nanocellulose and its affinity for aggregation via hydrogen bonding . Accordingly, Sajab and co-workers showed that surface modification of CNF with PEO afforded enhanced mechanical properties to 3D printed composites.…”

“…Recent advances in photocured composites containing cellulose nanomaterials, including those generated via 3D printing by stereolithography, have been extensively reviewed. 16 Those incorporating nanofibrils include aerogels and/or hydrogels for tissue engineering, 17,18 cell adhesion, 19 and complex-shaped 3D printed scaffolds. 20 The major challenge identified in incorporating TOCNFs is the hydrophilic nature of nanocellulose and its affinity for aggregation via hydrogen bonding.…”