Chemical surface modifications of microfibrillated cellulose

• Published in: Cellulose (London) Vol. 15; no. 1; pp. 35 - 45
• Main Authors: Stenstad, Per, Andresen, Martin, Tanem, Bjørn Steinar, Stenius, Per
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Dordrecht : Springer Netherlands 01.02.2008; Springer Netherlands; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Amines; Anhydrides; Bioorganic Chemistry; Bleaching; Cellulose; Ceramics; Cerium; Cerium grafting; Chemical reactions; Chemical surface modification; Chemical treatment; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Composites; Diisocyanate; Diisocyanates; Disintegration; Electrons; Fourier transforms; Glass; Glycidyl methacrylate; Grafting; Hexamethylene diisocyanate; Hydroxyl groups; Maleic acid; Maleic anhydride; MFC; Microfibrillated cellulose; Nanofibrillar cellulose; Natural Materials; Organic Chemistry; Oxidation; Photoelectrons; Physical Chemistry; Polymer Sciences; Spectrum analysis; Succinic anhydride; Sustainable Development; Transmission electron microscopy; X ray photoelectron spectroscopy; Nanofibrillar cellulose; Chemical surface modification; Diisocyanate; Succinic anhydride; Cerium grafting; Glycidyl methacrylate; MFC; Microfibrillated cellulose; Maleic anhydride
• ISSN: 0969-0239; 1572-882X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10570-007-9143-y

Microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) was prepared by disintegration of bleached softwood sulphite pulp through mechanical homogenization. The surface of the MFC was modified using different chemical treatments, using reactions both in aqueous- and organic solvents. The modified MFC was characterized with fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Epoxy functionality was introduced onto the MFC surface by oxidation with cerium (IV) followed by grafting of glycidyl methacrylate. The length of the polymer chains could be varied by regulating the amount of glycidyl methacrylate added. Positive charge was introduced to the MFC surface through grafting of hexamethylene diisocyanate, followed by reaction with the amines. Succinic and maleic acid groups could be introduced directly onto the MFC surface as a monolayer by a reaction between the corresponding anhydrides and the surface hydroxyl groups of the MFC.