Published online by Cambridge University Press: 28 December 2015
Cellulose is an abundant green polymer, which can be obtained in a variety ofnanoscale structures broadly grouped as nano/microfibrils (CNF/MFC), bacterialcelluloses (BC) or nano/microcrystals (CNC/CMC). There is increasing interest ofnanocelluloses by the research and industrial communities due to increasingavailable materials (facilities than can produce ton per day), impressivestrength properties, low density, renewability and biodegradability. However,one problem is the lack of knowledge on the nanomechanical properties ofcellulose nanofibrils, which creates barriers for the scientists and producersto optimize and predict behavior of the final product.
In this research, the behavior of thin filmed (t≤100 μm)cellulose nanofibrils’, located on aluminum pin stubs, under nanocompression loads were investigated using an Asylum Research MFP-3D Atomic ForceMicroscope equipped with a nanoindenter. Unloading curves were analyzed usingOliver-Pharr. As a result of 58 successful nanoindents, the average modulusvalue was estimated as 16.6 GPa with the reduced modulus value of 18.2 GPa. TheCNF Modulus values varied between 12.4 GPa – 22.8 GPa with 16.9%coefficient of variation (COV) while the reduced modulus ranged from 13.7 GPa to24.9 GPa with a 16.2 % COV.
This research provides practical knowledge for producers of nanocellulose,researchers and applications developers who focus on nanocellulose reinforcedcomposite materials.