title: Bark derived submicron-sized and nano-sized cellulose fibers: From industrial waste to high performance materials.
abstract: In this study, the use of bark as a natural source for the production of cellulose nanofibers has been explored for the first time. The fibrillation using bleached and unbleached cellulose fibers from the bark yielded sub-micron scale (<1 μm) and nanoscale fibers (<100 nm). Previous attempts to break the cross-linked lignin barrier to produce fibrillated submicron sized or nano sized cellulose fibers with high lignin content (>20%) have never been possible from any other sources. The maximum elastic modulus value of 15.6 GPa and tensile strength value of 76 MPa were obtained for the films made from fibrillated bark cellulose fibers. The water vapour barrier efficiency for these films is comparable to nanocellulose films from other studies.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Forestry, University of Toronto, 33 Willcocks Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S3B3, Canada.
authors.forename: Sandeep S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Nair
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Forestry, University of Toronto, 33 Willcocks Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S3B3, Canada. Electronic address: ning.yan@utoronto.ca.
authors.forename: Ning
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yan
mesh_terms: D002482:Cellulose / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D007220:Industrial Waste; D008031:Lignin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D057139:Nanofibers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010539:Permeability; D028223:Pinus / Q000737:chemistry*; D024301:Plant Bark / Q000737:chemistry*; D013227:Steam / Q000032:analysis; D013718:Tensile Strength
chemical_list: D007220:Industrial Waste; D013227:Steam; D002482:Cellulose; D008031:Lignin
keywords: Bark residue; Cellulose nanofibers; Mechanical properties; Micro grinder; Water vapour permeability