Abstract
Films made of nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) are most interesting for use in packaging applications. However, in order to understand the film-forming capabilities of NFC and their properties, new advanced methods for characterizing the different scales of the structures are necessary. In this study, we perform a comprehensive characterisation of NFC-films, based on desktop scanner analysis, scanning electron microscopy in backscatter electron imaging mode (SEM-BEI), laser profilometry (LP) and field-emission scanning electron microscopy in secondary electron imaging mode (FE-SEM-SEI). Objective quantification is performed for assessing the (i) film thicknesses, (ii) fibril diameters and (iii) fibril orientations, based on computer-assisted electron microscopy. The most frequent fibril diameter is 20–30 nm in diameter. A method for acquiring FE-SEM images of NFC surfaces without a conductive metallic layer is introduced. Having appropriate characterisation tools, the structural and mechanical properties of the films upon moisture were quantified.
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Acknowledgements
The authors thank Per Olav Johnsen (PFI) for skilful study in the image acquisition of some of the FE-SEM images. Professor Jarle Hjelen (Department of Materials Science and Engineering, NTNU) is thanked for facilitating the FE-SEM facilities applied in this study.
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Chinga-Carrasco, G., Syverud, K. Computer-assisted quantification of the multi-scale structure of films made of nanofibrillated cellulose. J Nanopart Res 12, 841–851 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-009-9710-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-009-9710-2