Review of industrial-grade cellulosic nanomaterial composites
| Authors: | Gregory Schueneman, Robert J. Moon |
| Year: | 2022 |
| Type: | General Technical Report |
| Station: | Forest Products Laboratory |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.2737/FPL-GTR-294 |
| Source: | USDA Forest Service General Technical Report |
Abstract
Cellulose nanomaterials derived from wood, plants, and other organisms provide mechanical reinforcement to a wide variety of polymers. The reproducibility and uniformity of these bioderived and biodegradable nanomaterials makes them suitable for use in existing petrochemical-derived polymers and resins in which relatively simple and pure molecules are used. The composites benefit from improved mechanical, thermal, rheological, and other properties while imparting biobased content (new carbon), thereby sequestering carbon in a multitude of products. The refractive index match between cellulose and polymers results in generally maintained transparency such that the appearance of the final product is not altered. In this report, we critically review the cellulosic nanomaterial–polymer composite literature and seek out those materials and methods that are most suitable for industrial adoption based on ease of use and performance improvements. This review covers promising composite fabrication approaches with waterborne and freeze-dried cellulose nanomaterials and other methods that uniquely prepare composites or prepare surfaces for ease of dispersion. In addition, knowledge gaps and research needs are summarized.