RESPONSIVE NANOCELLULOSE COMPOSITES

NORMA E. MARCOVICH; MARÍA L. AUAD; MIRTA I. ARANGUREN

Biobased nanocomposites: Processing, Characterisation and Properties

World Scientific Publishers

Año: 2014; p. 181 - 199

The outstanding mechanical properties of nanocellulose, added to its wide availability, biodegradability and wide number of alternatives for chemical modification, have been the driving force for its utilization as reinforcement in responsive polymers. In particular, segmented polyurethanes (SPU) with shape memory behavior have been utilized in the production of nanocellulose-reinforced responsive composites. Additionally, the hygroscopic nature of cellulose has led to the investigation of nanocomposites with water-responsive behavior, displaying a dramatic reduction of the material rigidity in the presence of the liquid as well as in nanocellulose-containing hydrogels, where the emphasis was focused on the water absorption swelling behavior. More recent developments in the area of nanocellulose responsive materials were addressed to growing active polymers or functional nanoparticles on the surface of cellulosic crystals or fibrilar structures. These developments are opening new roads for activating different material responses by indirect or non-contacting methods.