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    The physicochemical effect of sugar alcohol plasticisers on oxidised nanocellulose gels and extruded filaments

    Year: 2021

    Journal: Cellulose, Volume 28, AUG, page 7829–7843

    Authors: Johns, Marcus A.; Nigmatullin, Rinat; Cranston, Emily D.; Eichhorn, Stephen J.

    Organizations: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) [EP/N03340X/2]; Mitacs Accelerate scheme [GR018401]; Material and Chemical Characterisation Facility (MC2) at the University of Bath

    Keywords: Oxidised nanocellulose; Sugar alcohols; Rheology; Tensile properties

    Oxidised nanocelluloses have previously shown promise for the production of extruded filaments with high tensile strength properties. However, they also exhibit poor wet strength due to swelling upon immersion in water. This has resulted in the use of chemical cross-linkers, or co-extrusion with multivalent cations, or cationic polymers, to inhibit this. Here, we report on the effect of incorporating sugar alcohols (glycerol, sorbitol and maltitol) in an oxidised nanocellulose gel before extrusion. Whilst their presence weakens the initial gel, they enable the continuous wet spinning of filaments that are stable in aqueous media without the need for post extrusion processing. We conclude that the relative hydrophilicity of the sugar alcohol and its ability to protonate surface carboxyl groups upon drying are key parameters regarding the physicochemical effects observed.
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