title: Biomimetic polysaccharide nanocomposites of high cellulose content and high toughness.
abstract: Plant cell walls combine mechanical stiffness, strength and toughness despite a highly hydrated state. Inspired by this, a nanostructured cellulose network is combined with an almost viscous polysaccharide matrix in the form of a 50/50 amylopectin-glycerol blend. Homogeneous films with a microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) nanofiber content in the range of 10-70 wt % are successfully cast. Characterization is carried out by dynamic mechanical analysis, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and mercury density measurements. The MFC is well dispersed and predominantly oriented random-in-the-plane. High tensile strength is combined with high modulus and very high work of fracture in the nanocomposite with 70 wt % MFC. The reasons for this interesting combination of properties include nanofiber and matrix properties, favorable nanofiber-matrix interaction, good dispersion, and the ability of the MFC network to maintain its integrity to a strain of at least 8%.
authors.affiliation: Royal Institute of Technology, Department of Fiber and Polymer Technology, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Anna J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Svagan
authors.forename: My A S Azizi
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Samir
authors.forename: Lars A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Berglund
mesh_terms: D000687:Amylopectin / Q000737:chemistry*; D040761:Biomimetic Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D002482:Cellulose / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005990:Glycerol / Q000737:chemistry; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000737:chemistry; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D011134:Polysaccharides; D002482:Cellulose; D000687:Amylopectin; D005990:Glycerol