Improved Processing and Methods for Manufacturing Cellulose Nanocrystal Films

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) extracted from trees, plants, algae, tunicates, and bacteria are considered today as a novel class of nanomaterials which many attracting properties such as optical and mechanical properties. These properties vary depending on how CNCs are aligned and formed in the composites. In this study, different processing such as random casting, shear casting and electro spinning is used to produce CNC based composites thin film. The quality of the processes or amount of the CNC and amount of plasticizer Glycerol in the solution during the preparation for of producing thin films is shown to affects the quality and properties of the final composites.