Environmentally friendly process to develop nanocellulose-based composite materials

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K15567
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 40020:Wood science-related
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Fujisawa Shuji 東京大学, 大学院農学生命科学研究科(農学部), 助教 (80756453)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: ナノセルロース / エマルション / 複合材料

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Nanocellulose, a naturally-occurring nanofibril, is a promising candidate material for applications in polymer composites. However, mixing nanocelluloses with polymers is generally difficult, and we need organic solvents for the homogeneous mixing. Here, we develop a simple but robust approach to prepare homogeneous nanocellulose/polymer composite materials, through an aqueous process. Nanocellulose was homogeneously dispersed in the polymer matrix, and the composite showed high optical transparency. Stiffness and strength of the polymer increased after the addition of the nanocellulose. However, the composite became brittle, which needs to be improved in the future.

Free Research Field

界面科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

循環型素材であるナノセルロースを補強繊維とすることで高機能プラスチック系材料の開発が期待できます。また、ナノセルロースの補強により、高強度化にともなうプラスチック使用量削減が見込めますので、二酸化炭素排出量削減への貢献も期待できます。また、本複合材料調製技術は、ナノセルロースの乳化能を利用した独自の手法であり、ナノファイバーの界面科学的理解を深める研究成果です。また、本研究は農学と材料工学の異分野融合型研究であり、今後の材料開発イノベーションの誘発も期待できます。