Effects of nanocellulose on the structure and properties of poly(vinyl alcohol)-borax hybrid foams

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-1-2017

Abstract

Nanocellulose-borax-polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hybrid foams were prepared using a facile approach in an aqueous medium followed by a freeze-casting technique. Nanocellulose was well-dispersed in the PVA-borax (PB) matrix and acted as a cross-linking agent and nanofiller to bridge the 3D network, leading to enhanced mechanical and thermal performance. The effects of particle size, aspect ratio, surface charge and crystallinity on the microstructure and performance were investigated. With the increasing size and aspect ratio, cellulose nanofiber-PB foam with a density of ~0.110 g/cm3 exhibited the most pronounced honeycomb-like structure with a porosity of 92.2%, the smallest cell diameter (~0.93 μm) and the highest mechanical strength (bearing more than 7560 times its own weight). Chemical cross-linking of nanocellulose-PVA foams with borax led to uniform porous structure, small pores and high mechanical strength. Possible lyophilization-induced assembly mechanisms, relationships between microstructure and mechanical properties, and complexation reactions between building blocks are proposed.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Cellulose

First Page

4433

Last Page

4448

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