Elucidation of accumulation mechanism of cellulose nanofibers at oil-in-water emulsion interface and its application for the production of a novel hollow nanoparticles

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K05175
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 35010:Polymer chemistry-related
• Research Institution: Tomakomai National College of Technology
• Principal Investigator: Kono Hiroyuki 苫小牧工業高等専門学校, 創造工学科, 教授 (70455096)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 田島 健次 北海道大学, 工学研究院, 准教授 (00271643)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: セルロ―ス / ナノ繊維材料 / 高分子化学 / 構造機能相関

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Pickering emulsions,” in which solid particles adsorb on the oil-water interface and stabilize droplets by lowering the interfacial tension, are attracting attention as a surfactant-free emulsification system. In this study, we investigated the Pickering emulsification conditions of nanofibrillated bacterial cellulose (NFBC), a high-aspect-ratio nanofiber produced by microorganisms, and the state of accumulation at the micelle interface to clarify the emulsification mechanism by NFBC. In addition, we investigated the composite with resin and proved the effectiveness of nanocomposites as “lightweight, heat-insulating, and low-refractive-index nanofiller”. These results established a new approach to synthesize polysaccharide nanomaterials and contributed to the development of nanomaterials science as a new fundamental technology.

Free Research Field

高分子化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

バイオマス資源、天然糖質の1種であるセルロースを、その構造的特長を活かすことにより乳化剤特性を引き出し、新たな機能性を付与することが可能となった。さらに表層を化学的改質することによって樹脂との複合化を達成し、樹脂の軽量化と高強度化を同時に可能とした。本研究成果は学術的な価値に加え、サステナブルな社会形成に貢献する可能性を含んでいる。