Lignocellulose Nanofibers Research Articles

Evaluation of Binding Effects in Wood Flour Board Containing Ligno-Cellulose Nanofibers.

Wood-based materials are used extensively in residual construction worldwide. Most of the adhesives used in wood-based materials are derived from fossil resources, and some are not environmentally friendly. This study explores nanofiber technology as an alternative to such adhesives. Previous studies have shown that the three-dimensional binding effects of cellulose nanofiber (CNF), when mixed with wood flour, can significantly improve the physical and mechanical properties of wood flour board. In this study, ligno-cellulose nanofibers (LCNF) were fabricated by wet disk milling of wood flour. Composite boards of wood flour and LCNF were produced to investigate the binding effect(s) of LCNF. The fabrication of LCNF by disk milling was simple and effective, and its incorporation into wood flour board significantly enhanced the physical and mechanical properties of the board.

New products made with lignocellulosic nanofibers from Brazilian amazon forest

The biodiversity of the Amazon forest is undoubtedly rich; hence there is considerable variety of plant fibers regarding their morphological, chemical and structural properties. The legal exploration of the Brazilian Amazon is based on sustainable management techniques, but the generation of a relevant amount of plant wastes still cant be avoided. The correct destination of such materials is a challenge that Brazilian companies have to face. In this context, the National Council of Science and Technology (CNPq) promoted the creation of investigation nets on sustainability of Brazilian agribusiness. The Brazilian Net on Lignocellulosic Composites and Nanocomposites was then created, with partnership between several national and international research institutions. Until the moment, the results showed that Amazon plant fibers that are discarded as residues have great potential to nanofiber production. Nanopapers with considerable high mechanical and physical strength, proper opacity and great crystalline index were produced by using a clean and simple mechanical method. Those materials are candidates to several uses such as packaging, substrates transparent conductive films, gas barrier films, solar cells and e-papers.

Solid-state shear pulverization as effective treatment for dispersing lignocellulose nanofibers in polypropylene composites

Lignocellulose nanofibers (LCNFs) were prepared by the wet-disk milling of wood flour and were subsequently used as a reinforcing filler for a polypropylene (PP) polymer matrix. The specific surface area and the smallest fiber width of the LCNFs were found to be 106 m2/g and 20 nm, respectively. Solid-state shear pulverization (SSSP) using a batch-type kneader was performed at a temperature lower than the PP melting point in order to improve the dispersion of the LCNFs in the PP matrix, which also contained 5 wt% maleic anhydride-grafted PP. The SSSP treatment improved LCNF dispersion; this was determined through optical and scanning electron microscopy observations. The improvement in LCNF dispersion after the SSSP treatment increased the Young’s moduli, yield strengths, and toughnesses of the resulting composites. The composites showed higher Young’s moduli and yield strengths that those of the neat PP matrix; this was true in the case of both the tensile and the bending tests. However, the impact strengths of the composites were not significantly different from that of the neat matrix. Finally, the crystallization rate of the PP matrix also increased with the increase in LCNF dispersion.