Abstract
Cellulose nanofibrils have been proposed for novel barrier concepts, based on their capability to form smooth, strong and transparent films, with high oxygen barrier properties. A series of cellulose-based films were manufactured and tested with respect to their oxygen transmission rate (OTR) capabilities. The obtained OTR levels were considerably better than the levels recommended for packaging applications. Part of the nanofibrillated material applied in this study was produced with 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyl-1-oxyl (TEMPO) mediated oxidation as pretreatment. Films made of TEMPO-pretreated samples yielded lower OTR values. The minimum obtained OTR value was 3.0 mL m-2 day-1 atm-1 with a corresponding oxygen permeability of 0.04 mL mm m-2 day-1 atm-1, tested at 50% relative humidity. The good barrier properties are due to the compact and dense structure of the films, as revealed by field-emission scanning electron microscopy. A relationship between OTR and the structure of the corresponding nanofibril-based films was confirmed.
Highlights
Cellulose nanofibrils are nano-components of a cellulosic material produced through a fibrillation process [1]
The materials have been proposed for packaging applications, based on their capability to form smooth, strong and transparent films, with high oxygen barrier properties [5,7,8,9,10]
The films composed of fibrils with a relatively broad size distribution delaminate more chaotically than the films composed of homogeneous fibril sizes
Summary
Cellulose nanofibrils are nano-components of a cellulosic material produced through a fibrillation process [1]. Several applications have been envisaged for cellulose nanofibrils due to their particular rheological, optical and strength properties [2,3,4,5,6]. The materials have been proposed for packaging applications, based on their capability to form smooth, strong and transparent films, with high oxygen barrier properties [5,7,8,9,10]. Films made of cellulose nanofibrils are hydrophilic, having low moisture barrier properties. The density of nanofibril-based films is an important property to quantify, considering their potential application as barriers in packaging. Yang et al [12] reported a relationship between the oxygen transmission rate (OTR) and the density of regenerated cellulose films.
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