am5b12300_si_001.pdf (409.21 kB)
Direct Interfacial Modification of Nanocellulose Films for Thermoresponsive Membrane Templates
journal contribution
posted on 2016-02-04, 19:24 authored by Minna Hakalahti, Andreas Mautner, Leena-Sisko Johansson, Tuomas Hänninen, Harri Setälä, Eero Kontturi, Alexander Bismarck, Tekla TammelinThis
letter proposes a strategy to construct tunable films combining
the physical characteristics of cellulose nanofibrils and smart polymers
for membrane applications. A functional membrane template was obtained
by first fabricating a water stable film from cellulose nanofibrils
and subsequently surface grafting it with a thermoresponsive polymer,
poly(N-isopropylacrylamide). The behavior of the
membrane template was dependent on temperature. The increment in slope of relative water permeance around the lower critical solution temperature of
poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) increased from 18 to
100% upon polymer attachment. Although the membrane template essentially
consisted of wood-based materials, the benefits of smart synthetic
polymers were achieved.