title: Rheological study of reinforcement of agarose hydrogels by cellulose nanowhiskers.
abstract: The influence of the addition of tunicate cellulose nanowhiskers on the structural and rheological properties of an agarose hydrogel matrix has been studied, with the objective to design innovative green material, with good mechanical properties. The cellulose nanowhiskers were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, and their charge surface density was determined by a titration method. Oscillatory shear and stress relaxation tests were performed in order to characterize the rheological properties of the agarose matrix, and of the agarose hydrogels filled by nanowhiskers at volume fractions below 0.2%. The results show a significant reinforcement effect due to the addition of nanowhiskers, and suggest changes in the matrix network structure induced by the cellulose nanoparticles.
authors.affiliation: LIMATB - Equipe Rhéologie, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, 6 avenue Victor Le Gorgeu, CS 93837, 29238 Brest Cedex 3, France.
authors.forename: Kevin J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Le Goff
authors.affiliation: INRA - UR 1268 Unité Biopolymères, Interactions, Assemblages, Rue de la Géraudière, BP 71627, 44316 Nantes Cedex 3, France.
authors.forename: Cedric
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gaillard
authors.affiliation: CERMAV - CNRS UPR 5301, BP 53, 38041 Grenoble Cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Helbert
authors.affiliation: INRA - UR 1268 Unité Biopolymères, Interactions, Assemblages, Rue de la Géraudière, BP 71627, 44316 Nantes Cedex 3, France.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Garnier
authors.affiliation: LIMATB - Equipe Rhéologie, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, 6 avenue Victor Le Gorgeu, CS 93837, 29238 Brest Cedex 3, France. Electronic address: thierry.aubry@univ-brest.fr.
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Aubry
keywords: Agarose hydrogels; Cellulose nanowhiskers; Rheological behavior; Structure