Surface wetting behavior of nanocellulose-based composite films

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-1-2018

Abstract

Abstract: Thin nanocellulose-based composite films (approximately 25 μm) were made with cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), cellulose nanofibers (CNFs), and Zn(2-methylimidazolate anion)2 (ZM) modified CNFs for potential use in energy storage devices such as battery separators. The film morphology and surface wettability were studied in comparison with a commercial Polypropylene-Polyethylene-Polypropylene (PEP) battery separator film. Five different models were used to determine the dispersive and polar components of surface free energy (SFE) for the films and wetting envelopes for various films were constructed. Varied morphology from mixed CNC and CNF composite and increased film porosity coupled with reduced O–H groups on the surface of modified CNFs led to increased surface wettability of CNC–CNF and ZM–CNF films, respectively. All cellulose-based films showed better surface wetting behavior compared with that of the PEP film. The Owens–Wendt–Rabel–Kaelble (OWRK) method was suitable for calculating SFE components of the composite films. The total SFE of the CNC–CNF and ZM–CNF films varied from 42.55 to 53.87 mJ/m2 in comparison with 20.19 mJ/m2 for the PEP film. The constructed wetting-envelopes can be used to predict the wetting behavior of different solvents on the composite films for target electrochemical applications. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Cellulose

First Page

5071

Last Page

5087

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