Understanding ion-induced assembly of cellulose nanofibrillar gels through shear-free mixing and in situ scanning-SAXS.

ABSTRACT: During the past decade, cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) have shown tremendous potential as a building block to fabricate new advanced materials that are both biocompatible and biodegradable. The excellent mechanical properties of the individual CNF can be transferred to macroscale fibers through careful control in hydrodynamic alignment and assembly processes. The optimization of such processes relies on the understanding of nanofibril dynamics during the process, which in turn requires in situ characterization. Here, we use a shear-free mixing experiment combined with scanning small-angle X-ray scattering (scanning-SAXS) to provide time-resolved nanoscale kinetics during the in situ assembly of dispersed cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) upon mixing with a sodium chloride solution.

SUBMITTER: Rosen T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8386416 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature