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Transparent nanocellulose-pigment composite films

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A Correction to this article was published on 18 September 2019

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Abstract

Biodegradable coatings and films of cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) or a combination of CNFs and inorganic fillers, such as clay or calcium carbonate (CaCO3), can provide a replacement for non-biodegradable plastic coatings as barrier layers in packaging boards. In this work, transparent composite films were prepared from CNFs of Pinus radiata and Eucalyptus using different amounts of clay and CaCO3 as fillers. The impact of raw material (softwood vs. hardwood), TEMPO oxidation levels and filler type (clay vs. CaCO3) on film properties was studied. Pinus radiata CNF films had superior mechanical properties to Eucalyptus CNF films, but no significant differences were observed in the barrier and optical properties. Clay seemed to work better as filler compared to CaCO3, in terms of its impact on film properties. Composite films with CaCO3 as filler were highly brittle with inferior properties to clay-CNF films, and an uneven distribution and agglomeration of the CaCO3 mineral particles was evident in SEM images. Based on the results, clay as filler in CNF coatings is preferred for targeting packaging board applications. Rheological characterisation of the CNF suspensions revealed shear-thinning behaviour, with the CNF from Eucalyptus having higher viscosities and lower power-law indices when compared to the CNF from P. radiata.

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Change history

  • 18 September 2019

    In the original version of this article, one of the concentrations of CNF suspensions has been reported to be 0.01% under the results and discussion of rheology measurements. It should have been 0.1% instead.

  • 18 September 2019

    In the original version of this article, one of the concentrations of CNF suspensions has been reported to be 0.01% under the results and discussion of rheology measurements. It should have been 0.1% instead.

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Acknowledgement

Bioforest S.A. is gratefully acknowledged for the financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Process Chemistry Centre, Laboratory of Wood and Paper Chemistry, Åbo Akademi University, Porthansgatan 3, 20500, Åbo/Turku, Finland

    Camila Honorato, Jun Liu & Chunlin Xu

  2. Laboratory of Paper Coating and Converting, Centre for Functional Materials, Åbo Akademi University, Porthaninkatu 3, 20500, Turku, Finland

    Vinay Kumar & Martti Toivakka

  3. Wallenberg Wood Science Center, KTH, the Royal Institute of Technology, 10044, Stockholm, Sweden

    Chunlin Xu

  4. Department of Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, PL 66, Agnes Sjöbergin katu 2, 00014, Helsinki, Finland

    Hanna Koivula

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  1. Camila Honorato
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  2. Vinay Kumar
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  3. Jun Liu
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  4. Hanna Koivula
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  5. Chunlin Xu
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Correspondence to Vinay Kumar.

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Honorato, C., Kumar, V., Liu, J. et al. Transparent nanocellulose-pigment composite films. J Mater Sci 50, 7343–7352 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-015-9291-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-015-9291-7

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