ENHANCEMENT OF WATER RESISTANCE AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF MICROFIBRILLATED CELLULOSE BY GLYCEROL AND HOT-PRESSING TREATMENT

Abstract

In this work, glycerol and hot-pressing treatment were utilized to enhance the water-resistant and mechanical properties of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) film. Recently, MFC films have been suggested as promising materials for various applications such as flexible electronics, micro-optical devices, and biosensors. However, their poor water resistance and brittleness prevent the widespread use of MFC films. In this study, the combination of glycerol and hot-pressing treatment was used to overcome these limitations. While the plasticizing effect by glycerol greatly enhances the stretchability and flexibility of the MFC film, hot-pressing treatment improves its water resistance and mechanical strength. The wet strength of treated MFC film using a glycerol solution with a concentration of 2.5% (v/v) (H-MFC/2.5%G) was 41.3 MPa compared to 3.3 MPa of untreated MFC film. Moreover, the strain at break and tensile strength of this film was significantly improved. The present MFC film can be used as an eco-friendly, robust, and flexible platform for advanced applications.