Composite microfibers fabrication based on interfacial complexation of tempo oxidized cellulose nanofibers and chitosan

Abstract

The advances obtained by the research project (process 2015 / 07744-0), allowed the development of a methodology for the dispersion of polymers of high polarity in thermoplastic matrices besides the development of filaments where molecules of chitosan and modified cellulose nanofibrils (ToNFC) are self-organized through a liquid-liquid interface in a process called interfacial complexation of polyelectrolytes (IPC) giving rise to a new material. The initial results for obtaining chitosan/cellulose filaments have already been published in an international journal (Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 2017, 5, 13098-13103). However, for optimization of the mechanical characteristics of the filaments as well as a better understanding of the formation process of the filaments, a comprehensive study is required. The main objective is to investigate the role of the different process parameters for obtaining chitosan/cellulose filaments. Thus, the present work aims to give continuity in our studies on the production of chitosan/cellulose filaments by IPC and understand the relation to the process variables that should directly impact the mechanical characteristics of this material. Merging efforts with the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Technology, Aalto University -Finland (Films, Filaments and Hybrid Materials Research) which has a spinning line in the liquid state could lead to a continuously drawing the filaments increasing the scale of production of this material in a significant way, in order to increase potential application of these filaments in different research fields. (AU)