Optimization of microfluidization for the homogeneous distribution of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) in biopolymeric matrix

Microfluidization, which is a high-pressure homogenization technique, was used to develop highly dispersed cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) reinforced chitosan based nanocomposite films. A three factor central composite design with five levels was designed to systematically optimize the microfluidization...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cellulose (London) 2014, Vol.21 (5), p.3457-3468
Main Authors: Khan, Avik, Vu, Khanh Dang, Chauve, Gregory, Bouchard, Jean, Riedl, Bernard, Lacroix, Monique
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aggregates
Bioorganic Chemistry
Cellulose
Ceramics
Chemistry
Chemistry and Materials Science
Chitosan
Composites
Design factors
equations
Glass
homogenization
Mechanical properties
Nanocomposites
Nanocrystals
Natural Materials
Optimization
Organic Chemistry
Original Paper
Physical Chemistry
Polymer Sciences
Polynomials
Regression analysis
Response surface methodology
Surface roughness
Sustainable Development
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Summary:Microfluidization, which is a high-pressure homogenization technique, was used to develop highly dispersed cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) reinforced chitosan based nanocomposite films. A three factor central composite design with five levels was designed to systematically optimize the microfluidization process. The three factors were the CNC content, the microfluidization pressure and the number of microfluidization cycles. Response surface methodology was used to obtain relationship between the mechanical properties of the nanocomposite films and the factors. Polynomial equations were generated based on the regression analysis of the factors and the predicted properties of the nanocomposite films were in good agreement with the experimental results. Microfluidization effectively reduced the CNC–chitosan aggregates and improved the mechanical properties of the nanocomposite films. Microscopic analysis of the microfluidized nanocomposite films revealed a 10–15 times reduction in the size of the aggregates compared to the non-microfluidized CNC/chitosan films and an increase in the root mean square surface roughness (Rq).
ISSN:0969-0239
1572-882X
DOI:10.1007/s10570-014-0361-9