Tailoring the properties of nanocellulose-sepiolite hybrid nanopapers by varying the nanocellulose type and clay content

Abstract The development of nanocellulose-clay materials resulted great relevance, as it opened up the applications nanocellulose, but still requires new approaches that could contribute to improve preparation procedures and features this type biohybrid materials. In context, nanocellulose-sepiolite (NC-S) biocomposite foams films have already been successfully tested for some applications. However, influence nanocellulose properties on sepiolite-cellulose interactions, consequently final potential NC-S materials, has not previously studied. To address knowledge gap, four kinds nanocelluloses produced from elm biomass (non-chemically pretreated lignocellulose bleached cellulose nanofibers (LCNFs CNFs, respectively), TEMPO-oxidized (TOCNFs) nanocrystals (CNCs)) were characterized used develop nanopapers. A stronger interaction was found between sepiolite negatively charged (TOCNFs CNCs), improving their thermal stability mechanical by increasing content. Furthermore, content be adjusted tune flammability, water permeability optical Graphical abstract