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Optimization of microfluidization for the homogeneous distribution of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) in biopolymeric matrix

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Abstract

Microfluidization, which is a high-pressure homogenization technique, was used to develop highly dispersed cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) reinforced chitosan based nanocomposite films. A three factor central composite design with five levels was designed to systematically optimize the microfluidization process. The three factors were the CNC content, the microfluidization pressure and the number of microfluidization cycles. Response surface methodology was used to obtain relationship between the mechanical properties of the nanocomposite films and the factors. Polynomial equations were generated based on the regression analysis of the factors and the predicted properties of the nanocomposite films were in good agreement with the experimental results. Microfluidization effectively reduced the CNC–chitosan aggregates and improved the mechanical properties of the nanocomposite films. Microscopic analysis of the microfluidized nanocomposite films revealed a 10–15 times reduction in the size of the aggregates compared to the non-microfluidized CNC/chitosan films and an increase in the root mean square surface roughness (Rq).

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and by FPInnovations (Pointe-Claire, Canada) through the RDC program. The authors highly appreciate SEM support from Mrs. Line Mongeon, Technician of the Biomedical Engineering Department and the Facility Electron Microscopy Research (FEMR) at McGill University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Laboratories in Sciences Applied to Food, Canadian Irradiation Centre (CIC), INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier, Université du Québec, 531 Boulevard des Prairies, Laval, QC, H7V 1B7, Canada

    Avik Khan, Khanh Dang Vu & Monique Lacroix

  2. Département des Sciences du Bois et de la Forêt, Faculté de Foresterie, Géographie et Géomatique, Université Laval, Québec-City, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada

    Bernard Riedl

  3. FPInnovations, 570 Boulevard St. Jean, Pointe-Claire, QC, H9R 3J9, Canada

    Gregory Chauve & Jean Bouchard

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  1. Avik Khan
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  2. Khanh Dang Vu
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  3. Gregory Chauve
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  4. Jean Bouchard
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  5. Bernard Riedl
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  6. Monique Lacroix
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Correspondence to Monique Lacroix.

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Khan, A., Vu, K.D., Chauve, G. et al. Optimization of microfluidization for the homogeneous distribution of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) in biopolymeric matrix. Cellulose 21, 3457–3468 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-014-0361-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-014-0361-9

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