P8.1 – Is it possible to completely dry cellulose?
Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are widely used in industrial applications due to their high strength, sustainability, and tunable surface chemistry. However, the presence of bound water in CNCs, particularly in chemically modified forms, remains a challenge for processing and application. In this study, we investigate the drying behavior and water retention of native and TEMPO-modified CNCs […]
P8.2 – In situ probing of humidity-induced changes in cellulose structure and related mechanical properties
Natural cellulose readily interacts with water due to the abundance of hydroxyl groups in its molecular structure. These interactions play a crucial role in cellulose processing and significantly affect its properties and performance across various environmental conditions. In particular, natural cellulosic materials exhibit high sensitivity to moisture fluctuations, which can alter their structural integrity and […]
P8.3 – Liquid dehydration of nanocellulose gels
The fine fibrillar network of nanocellulose gels holds water very strongly already at concentrations below 1%. But, the fine network can be utilized to exert osmotic pressure on the gels by not allowing polymers of an dehydration bath to enter the network. During dehydration the network densifies, allowing liquids of smaller polymers and of higher […]
P8.4 – Interactions between water and cellulose derivatives: An investigation into the effect of chemical substituents and relative humidity on the polymer chain mobility
Cellulose, the most abundant biopolymer in the world, is naturally available and can act as a starting material for various chemical modifications that enable it to take the place of fossil-based materials. Cellulose derivatives, synthesized through the modification of cellulose find their applications in different fields such as food, pharmaceuticals, barrier materials, paints and coatings, […]
P8.5 – Moisture interactions and hygroplasticization of quaternized fibers and materials thereof
Quaternized, cationically charged, cellulose fibers and cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) are attractive candidates for the development of renewable materials. The increased research interest seen over the last decade is largely owing to such material’s strong interaction with water facilitating a completely new toolbox in the design of cellulose-based materials. Our research is focused on studying quaternized […]
P8.6 – Cellulose solutions in aqueous hydroxides – understanding stability and stabilizing species
In the urgent search for sustainable processing media that would allow for a diverse design of cellulose materials through re-assembly from the dissolved state, aqueous hydroxides remain the most attractive options, combining the sustainable character and large-scale viability with the unique ability to highly activate and solubilize individual cellulose chains. Yet, despite a long history […]
P8.7 – Ion-Driven Water Interactions and Confinement Effects in TEMPO-mediated Oxidized Cellulose Nanofibrils.
My Ph.D. research investigates the drying mechanisms of TEMPO-mediated oxidized cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs), well known for their mechanical strength and biocompatibility. These properties make CNFs ideal candidates for sustainable composites and biomedical devices. However, the interaction between CNFs and water, particularly at low humidity levels (<20% water content), presents unanswered questions that must be understood […]
8.Keynote – Hydration solids: Properties of biological matter derive simply and predictably from the physics of water
Water has a substantial impact on the properties of most types of biological matter, but this impact is viewed as a perturbation rather than being foundational to the material. We recently introduced a theory that argues water gives biological matter its most basic properties (1). In this new picture, water is not a modifier of […]
8.Invited – Tailoring Nanocellulose Performance and Water Interactions through New Surface Modification Routes
By learning from nature and using bio-based building blocks we can engineer sustainable high-performance materials with improved functionality. However, the surface chemistry of nanocellulose must be well understood and controlled in order to optimize the interactions with liquids, ionic species and polymers. Water interactions play a crucial role in the processability and applicability of natural […]
8.1 Harnessing Water-Induced Functionality in Nanocellulose-Based Products
Due to its high specific surface area and abundant surface polar groups (such as hydroxyl, carboxyl, and other ionic functional groups), nanocellulose exhibits strong interactions with water. The presence of water in nanocellulose can introduce diverse functionalities, serving multiple roles. In this presentation, I will discuss our work on leveraging water to tune the mechanical […]
