Consolidation of cellulose nanofibrils with lignosulphonate bio-waste into excellent flame retardant and UV blocking membranes

Urška Jančič; Matej Bračič; Alenka Ojstršek; Mojca Božič; Tamilselvan Mohan; Selestina Gorgieva

doi:10.1016/j.carbpol.2020.117126

Consolidation of cellulose nanofibrils with lignosulphonate bio-waste into excellent flame retardant and UV blocking membranes

Carbohydr Polym. 2021 Jan 1:251:117126. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2020.117126. Epub 2020 Sep 29.

Authors

Urška Jančič¹, Matej Bračič¹, Alenka Ojstršek², Mojca Božič³, Tamilselvan Mohan⁴, Selestina Gorgieva⁵

Affiliations

¹ University of Maribor, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Engineering Materials and Design, Smetanova ulica 17, 2000, Maribor, Slovenia.
² University of Maribor, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Engineering Materials and Design, Smetanova ulica 17, 2000, Maribor, Slovenia; University of Maribor, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Institute of Automation, Koroška cesta 46, 2000, Maribor, Slovenia.
³ Dravske elektrarne Maribor d. o. o., Obrežna Ulica 170, 2000, Maribor, Slovenia.
⁴ University of Maribor, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Engineering Materials and Design, Smetanova ulica 17, 2000, Maribor, Slovenia; Graz University of Technology, Institute for Chemistry and Technology of Biobased Systems, Stremayrgasse 9, 8010, Graz, Austria.
⁵ University of Maribor, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Engineering Materials and Design, Smetanova ulica 17, 2000, Maribor, Slovenia; University of Maribor, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Institute of Automation, Koroška cesta 46, 2000, Maribor, Slovenia. Electronic address: selestina.gorgieva@um.si.

PMID: 33142658
DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2020.117126

Abstract

The use of biomass to produce value-adding materials is a core objective of the circular economy, which has attracted great research interest in recent decades. In this context, we present here a simple dispersion-casting process for consolidation of cellulose nanofibrils (CNF), lignosulphonate (LS)-rich bio-waste and CaCl₂ in composite membranes. The addition of CaCl₂ to CNF and LS dispersions reduces the ζ potential, due to an electrostatic screening, which promotes the aggregation of CNF, increases its moisture content and promotes LS deposition on CNFs already in the dispersion phase. Addition of both the LS and CaCl₂ to CNF dispersion has an adverse effect on the mechanical properties of the final membranes. The effectiveness of the new composite membranes has been described in terms of their passive (charring) flame retardancy and 100 % UVA/UVB shielding capacity, both identified for membranes with the highest LS content, as well as high electronic resistance.

Keywords: Cellulose nanofibrils; Flame retardancy; Lignosulphonate; Membranes; UV shielding.

MeSH terms

Cellulose / chemistry*
Flame Retardants / analysis*
Lignin / analogs & derivatives*
Lignin / chemistry
Nanofibers / chemistry*
Radiation-Protective Agents / chemistry*
Ultraviolet Rays

Substances

Flame Retardants
Radiation-Protective Agents
lignosulfuric acid
Cellulose
Lignin