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.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 […]
8.1 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 […]
8.2 Structure and water dynamics in conductive PEDOT:PSS/cellulose nanocomposite films
PEDOT:PSS is a water-dispersable and electrically conductive polymer blend that is increasingly applied in numerous fields such as batteries and super-capacitors. While many studies focus on performance optimization, degradation issues because of humid environments are rarely discussed. PEDOT:PSS absorbs significant amounts of water (~50 wt%), which leads to a pronounced film swelling factor of up […]
8.5 Interfacial water structure modulation by surface charge reversal; insight into adsorption of polymers on natural fibers
Natural fibers possess an inherent affinity for water, which significantly influences their physicochemical properties and interactions with other substances. Polymer adsorption on natural fibers is a critical process, relevant to areas ranging from plant cell wall formation to applications like papermaking, energy storage, and biosensors. Numerous studies have suggested that polymer adsorption on cellulose surfaces […]
8.4 Active cellulose fiber foam with water vapor buffer capacity: towards new strategies for humidity control systems in packaging
Cellulose fiber foams have attracted significant interest in recent years as a sustainable alternative to fossil-based foams for cushioning applications in packaging. Their highly porous structure, composed of hydrophilic cellulose fibers, enables moisture absorption, making them promising for moisture-control active packaging when combined with adsorbing compounds. This study analyzes active cellulose fiber foams containing calcium […]
8.3 Moisture transport diffusion in cellulose nanopores
Understanding and modelling of moisture transport in cellulose-based materials is essential for biological processes in plants as well as industrial applications. At the continuum level, this transport is often described by Fick’s first law, where the moisture flux is proportional to a concentration gradient, with the transport diffusion coefficient playing a crucial role. However, determining […]
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 […]
