Mixed-linkage (1,3;1,4)-β-d-glucans as rehydration media for improved redispersion of dried cellulose nanofibrils

Li Zha; Shennan Wang; Lars A Berglund; Qi Zhou

doi:10.1016/j.carbpol.2022.120276

Mixed-linkage (1,3;1,4)-β-d-glucans as rehydration media for improved redispersion of dried cellulose nanofibrils

Carbohydr Polym. 2023 Jan 15:300:120276. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2022.120276. Epub 2022 Oct 29.

Authors

Li Zha¹, Shennan Wang¹, Lars A Berglund², Qi Zhou³

Affiliations

¹ Division of Glycoscience, Department of Chemistry, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, AlbaNova University Centre, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden.
² Wallenberg Wood Science Center, Department of Fibre and Polymer Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Teknikringen 56, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden.
³ Division of Glycoscience, Department of Chemistry, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, AlbaNova University Centre, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden; Wallenberg Wood Science Center, Department of Fibre and Polymer Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Teknikringen 56, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: qi@kth.se.

PMID: 36372496
DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2022.120276

Abstract

Improving the redispersion and recycling of dried cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) without compromising their nanoscopic dimensions and inherent mechanical properties are essential for their large-scale applications. Herein, mixed-linkage (1,3;1,4)-β-d-glucan (MLG) was studied as a rehydration medium for the redispersion and recycling of dried CNFs, benefiting from the intrinsic affinity of MLG to both cellulose and water molecules as inspired from plant cell wall. MLG from barley with a lower molar ratio of cellotriosyl to cellotetraosyl units was found homogeneously coated on CNFs, facilitating rehydration of the network of individualized CNFs. The addition of barley MLG did not impair the mechanical properties of the CNF/MLG composites as compared to neat CNFs nanopaper. With the addition of 10 wt% barley MLG, dry CNF/MLG composite film was successfully redispersed in water and recycled with well-maintained mechanical properties, while lichenan from Icelandic moss, cationic starch, and xyloglucan could not help the redispersion of dried CNFs.

Keywords: Cellulose nanofibrils; Mechanical properties; Mixed-linkage glucan; Redispersion; Rehydration.

MeSH terms

Cell Wall
Cellulose*
Fluid Therapy
Hordeum*
Water

Substances

Cellulose
Water