Drying techniques applied to cellulose nanofibers

Abstract

Nanotechnology applied to cellulosic fibers has quickly become an interdisciplinary field with great interest in the application as reinforcement in polymer composites, mainly due to the abundance of these raw materials, and to their mechanical properties and multifunctionality. However, one of the critical points to obtain individualized cellulose nanofibers is the drying technique (dehydration), since most of the nanofiber processes are performed in the liquid phase. According to the methodology applied to the cellulose water dehydration process, various morphologies and properties can be obtained in the cellulose fibers. This review study aims to discuss the main processes used to obtain nanocellulose (chemical and mechanical) and the drying techniques applied to nanocellulose structures, such as conventional oven drying, freeze drying (lyophilization), supercritical extraction, and spray drying.