Hybrid Films from Blends of Castor Oil and Polycaprolactone Waterborne Polyurethanes.

Waterborne polyurethanes (WBPUs) with relatively high biobased content (up to 43.7%) were synthesized, aiming at their use as coatings for metals and woods. The study was performed on self-standing films obtained from anionic polyurethane water dispersions (PUDs).

Nanocelluloses Reinforced Bio-Waterborne Polyurethane.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the influence of two kinds of bio- nano-reinforcements, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and bacterial cellulose (BC), on the properties of castor oil-based waterborne polyurethane (WBPU) films. CNCs were obtained by the acidolysis of microcrystalline cellulose, while BC was produced from A WBPU/BC composite was prepared by the impregnation of a wet BC membrane and further drying, while the WBPU/CNC composite was obtained by casting. The nanoreinforcement was adequately dispersed in the polymer using any of the preparation methods, obtaining optically transparent compounds.

Cellulose nanocrystals suspensions: Liquid crystal anisotropy, rheology and films iridescence.

The properties of aqueous suspensions of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and their casted films are revised. The bio-nanoparticles are briefly introduced, including modifications of the crystals and the suspending media. The formation of CNC-derived liquid crystals (LC) and their resulting rheological behavior are presented.

EPR spectroscopy applied to the study of the TEMPO mediated oxidation of nanocellulose.

Two different methods of pH control were used in the synthesis of 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) oxidized cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and the reaction kinetics and degree of oxidation were investigated. In method I the media pH was controlled by addition of NaOH solution. The effect of the oxidant concentration (sodium hypochloride, NaClO) on the final degree of oxidation and crystallinity of the samples was investigated.

Polyelectrolyte films based on chitosan/olive oil and reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals.

Composite films designed as potentially edible food packaging were prepared by casting film-forming emulsions based on chitosan/glycerol/olive oil containing dispersed cellulose nanocrystals (CNs). The combined use of cellulose nanoparticles and olive oil proved to be an efficient method to reduce the inherently high water vapor permeability of plasticized chitosan films, improving at the same time their tensile behavior. At the same time, it was found that the water solubility slightly decreased as the cellulose content increased, and further decreased with oil addition.