Work

Influence of TEMPO on preparation of softwood nanofibrils and their hydrogel network properties

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: From an economic and environmental perspective, the use of less chemicals in the production of cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) is advantageous. In this study, we investigated the oxidation (TEMPO/NaClO 2 /NaClO, pH 6.8) of softwood (SW) particles with varying amounts of TEMPO (16, 8 or 0 mg g −1 of wood). Following, TEMPO-oxidized SW nanofibrils (TO-SWNFs) were obtained by nanofibrillation and their size, morphology, and crystallite size were assessed. Hydrogel networks of TO-SWNFs were prepared and mechanical properties were measured in dH 2 O and phosphate buffered saline (PBS) to compare their performance for possible biomedical applications such as wound dressings. The results reveal that the presence of TEMPO is of importance for TO-SWNF network properties, presenting higher eq. H 2 O absorption (≈2500 %) and elongation at break (≈10 %) with good wet strength (≈180 kPa). In addition, a decrease in use of TEMPO catalyst from 16 to 8 mg g −1 of wood is possible, without detrimental effects on hydrogel network properties (dH 2 O absorption ≈ 2000 %, elongation at break ≈ 13 %, wet strength ≈ 190 kPa) related to applications as wound dressings.

Source: Carbohydrate Polymers

DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2024.122812

Authors: Yağmur Baş, Linn Berglund, Jasna S. Stevanic, Gerhard Scheepers, Totte Niittylä, Kristiina Oksman