Nanocellulose Based Films : Improved Mechanical And Gas Barrier Properties

Abstract: Microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) films have been prepared to demonstrate the potential of the material in order to see if it is a possibility to replace most parts of petroleum-based plastics. MFC is produced by mechanically delaminating the wood fiber cell wall into individual nano-fibrils. There are different ways to fabricate MFC at low energy consumption, thus keeping the cost down. The MFC films were produced using two different techniques; solvent-casting and by vacuum filtering, nanofiltration. The MFC films were characterized in terms of optical, mechanical and gas barrier properties. The results show that MFC (Generation 2) has superior mechanical properties and very promising oxygen barrier properties. MFC (Generation 2) has a more dense and homogenous nanocellulose film structure, thus very good oxygen permeability properties. These properties are good indications that MFC films have many suitable positive properties for use in e.g. the packaging industry. Incorporations of different components, such as nanoclays, latex or ionic crossed-linked improves the gas barrier properties for the MFC films.