• DOI:10.1021/BM0703160
• Corpus ID: 16554787

Biomimetic polysaccharide nanocomposites of high cellulose content and high toughness.

@article{Svagan2007BiomimeticPN,
  title={Biomimetic polysaccharide nanocomposites of high cellulose content and high toughness.},
  author={Anna J. Svagan and My Ahmed Said Azizi Samir and Lars A. Berglund},
  journal={Biomacromolecules},
  year={2007},
  volume={8 8},
  pages={
          2556-63
        }
}

• A. Svagan, M. A. S. A. Samir, L. Berglund
• Published 27 July 2007
• Materials Science
• Biomacromolecules

Plant cell walls combine mechanical stiffness, strength and toughness despite a highly hydrated state. Inspired by this, a nanostructured cellulose network is combined with an almost viscous polysaccharide matrix in the form of a 50/50 amylopectin-glycerol blend. Homogeneous films with a microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) nanofiber content in the range of 10-70 wt % are successfully cast. Characterization is carried out by dynamic mechanical analysis, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and mercury density measurements. The MFC is well dispersed and predominantly oriented random-in-the-plane. High tensile strength is combined with high modulus and very high work of fracture in the nanocomposite with 70 wt % MFC. The reasons for this interesting combination of properties include nanofiber and matrix properties, favorable nanofiber-matrix interaction, good dispersion, and the ability of the MFC network to maintain its integrity to a strain of at least 8%.