New horizons for microfibrillated cellulose

作者：Sandquist David^*

来源：Appita Journal, 2013, 66(2): 156-162.

• Microfibrillated cellulose
• MFC
• nanocellulose
• nanocomposite
• barrier properties
• packaging

Microfibrillated cellulose (MFC), also known as nanocellulose, is acquired by chemical or mechanical means from a pure cellulose raw material, predominately as a thixotropic hydrogel. Currently it is produced at pilot plant scale, with ongoing efforts for commercial scale production. Current world wide pilot plant investment is approximately NZ$ 50M with a combined capacity of 150 tonnes annually, with plants in Sweden, Finland, Germany, Japan and the US. In addition there are related cellulose whiskers and nanocrystalline cellulose pilot plants coming on-line. Nanocellulose material is potentially an important future revenue stream for pulp producers.
The interest in MFC adoption is to utilize its outstanding optical, gas barrier, strength and thermal stability properties to create high value products from potentially low value raw material. The basic technology and material has been known since the beginning of the 1980's, but high energy cost and lack of clear applications has until recently hampered its widespread adoption. Outstanding technical challenges include irreversible agglomeration upon dewatering, substrate and matrix compatibility.
This review summarises recent progress in MFC research, specifically highlighting progress in overcoming dispersion and unintentional agglomeration issues. In addition it discusses potential applications of MFC in packaging.

• 出版日期2013-6