June 4th, 2015

Iranian researchers from Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources proposed a new method for the production of cellulose nanocomposites.

This method doesn’t include discrete production of nanomaterials and while being simpler requires less time and cost.
The normal process to produce a nanocomposite is to synthesize a nanometric particle and adding it to the structure of the composite. In this research, cellulose microfibers are converted into nanocomposite directly instead of producing nanometric particles and production of nanocomposites.
According to the executor of the plan, the full cellulose nanocomposite has been directly made of canola branch cellulose microfibers (useless agricultural waste), and its properties and structure are similar to those of a nanocomposite made of cellulose nanofibers.
The nanocomposite is completely biological and biodegradable and has low weight, tensile strength similar to steel, high flexibility and transparency, and air cannot diffuse into it.
In this process, microfiber nanostructures are welded with solution welding agents and they have created a phenomenon called direct nano-welding of cellulose fibers. During the nano-welding process, all physical and mechanical properties of the final nanocomposite have significantly improved in comparison with the properties of its initial material (paper or cellulose microfiber film).
These materials have various applications in automobile manufacturing, building construction, aerospace, military industries, electronics, magnetic, packaging, biomedical engineering and glass fabrication.