Interpenetrated Networks of Nanocellulose and Polyacrylamide with Excellent Mechanical and Absorptive Properties. Issue 5 (14th April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Träger, Andrea; Carlmark, Anna; Wågberg, Lars
• Is Part Of: Macromolecular materials and engineering. Volume 303:Issue 5(2018)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2018-04-14
• Subjects: CNF aerogels -- composites -- hydrogels -- polyacrylamide; Plastics -- Periodicals; Polymers -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; 547.705
• DOI: 10.1002/mame.201700594
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1438-7492

Abstract

Abstract: Composites based on interpenetrating networks (IPNs) of cellulose nanofibril (CNF) aerogels and polyacrylamide are prepared and exhibit robust mechanical, water retaining, and re‐swelling capacities. Furthermore, their swelling behavior is not affected by an increased ionic strength of the aqueous phase. These unprecedented IPNs combine the water retaining capacity of the polyacrylamide with the mechanical strength provided by the CNF aerogel template. The CNF aerogel/polyacrylamide composites exhibit a compressive stress at break greater than 250% compared with a neat polyacrylamide hydrogel. Furthermore, the composites retain their wet compression properties after drying and re‐swelling, whereas the neat polyacrylamide hydrogels fail at a significantly lower stress and strain after drying and re‐swelling. These composite materials highlight the potential of CNF aerogels to strengthen the mechanical properties and reduce the number of fracture defects during the drying and re‐swelling of a hydrogel. These composites show the potential of being optimized for a plethora of applications, especially in the hygiene field and for biomedical devices. Abstract : Composites based on interpenetrating networks (IPNs) of cellulose nanofibril (CNF) aerogels and polyacrylamide are prepared, exhibiting robust mechanical, and water retaining capacities. These IPNs combine the water retaining capacity of the polyacrylamide with the mechanical strength of a CNF aerogel template. These unique composites show potential to be optimized for a plethora of applications, especially within hygiene and biomedicine.