Oriented Cellulose Nanopaper (OCNP) based on bagasse cellulose nanofibrils

The purpose of this study is to explore the suitability of bagasse fiber for production of Cellulose Nanofiber (CNF) and Oriented Cellulose Nanopaper (OCNP) for the first time. Different types of CNF were thus produced either mechanically by homogenization or with enzymatic pre-treatment followed by homogenization. The CNF was thereafter used for the production of nanopapers through two approaches; i) Dispersion Casting (DC) and ii) Dynamic Sheet Former (DSF). Then, the prepared nanopapers were characterized in terms of surface, structural, morphological and mechanical properties. It was found that compared to DC method, the OCNP had higher crystallinity as well as superior tensile and tear indices. The results also showed that the highest tensile strength index value of 189 N m/g was measured for the OCNP at the Machine Direction (MD).This would most probably be attributed to the presumptive anisotropic orientation of the nanofibrils due to the shearing forces induced from the DSF. These unique characteristics of the OCNP are promising for potential applications in food packaging. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.