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Improving the mechanical properties of CNF films by NMMO partial dissolution with hot calender activation

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Abstract

Reinforcing of cellulose nanofibril (CNF) films by partial dissolution with N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMMO) was investigated. The method investigated is composed of impregnation of CNF film with liquid solution of NMMO followed by dry heat activation. The heat activation of the impregnated film was carried out using a heated calendering nip, which enabled simultaneous heating and compression. The partial dissolution of cellulose by NMMO caused a significant increase in the transparency of CNF film due to the decrease of film porosity and increased surface smoothness. The dry strength of the reinforced film was increased from 122 up to 195 MPa. Furthermore, the wet strength of the reinforced film was up to 70% greater than the dry strength of pure CNF film. The changes in the fibrillar structure were investigated with topographical imaging (SEM and AFM) and spectroscopically using NMR and FTIR. No significant changes in the fibril structure or cellulose morphology were observed. Moreover, the treated film resisted significant water pressure, highlighting CNF film’s permanent water resistance. The partial dissolution process with NMMO was also capable of reinforcing a CNF composite film with macro scale structural elements (lyocell short-cut fibres). The strategy investigated is a robust and fast method to improve the mechanical properties of fibrillary cellulose films, allowing them utilization in applications where improved water resistance and fully cellulosic character are required properties.

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Abbreviations

CNF:

Cellulose nanofibrils

NMMO:

N-methylmorpholine-N-oxidide

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Acknowledgments

The work was carried out in the Design Driven Value Chains in the World of Cellulose project (DWOC) funded by Tekes the Finnish Funding Agency for Innovation. The authors also thank the Academy of Finland. The authors appreciate the help given by Unto Tapper (SEM imaging), Tommi Virtanen (NMR analysis), Vuokko Liukkonen (helping with calendering), Hanna Kyllönen (filtration testing), and Salonen Ulla (helping with the tensile testing).

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The manuscript was written through contributions of all the authors. All authors have given approval to the final version of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. High Performance Fibre Products, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Biologinkuja 7, 02044, Espoo, Finland

    Hannes Orelma, Antti Korpela, Vesa Kunnari, Ali Harlin & Anna Suurnäkki

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  1. Hannes Orelma
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  2. Antti Korpela
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  3. Vesa Kunnari
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  5. Anna Suurnäkki
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Correspondence to Hannes Orelma.

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Orelma, H., Korpela, A., Kunnari, V. et al. Improving the mechanical properties of CNF films by NMMO partial dissolution with hot calender activation. Cellulose 24, 1691–1704 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-017-1229-6

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