Functionalisation of cellulose-based substrates and fibers to obtain novel materials
Functionalisation of cellulose-based substrates and fibers to obtain novel materialsThe VALCELMAT project aims to valorize cellulose in new applications (packaging, textiles and additives for bioplastics). keywords: Cellulose, packaging, textiles, bioplastics, electrospinninghttps://www.ugent.be/ea/match/textiles/en/research/functional-textiles-and-applications/valcelmat-project.htmhttps://www.ugent.be/++resource++plone-logo.svg
Functionalisation of cellulose-based substrates and fibers to obtain novel materials
VALCELMAT-project
The VALCELMAT project aims to valorize cellulose in new applications (packaging, textiles and additives for bioplastics). The cellulose will be chemically modified to give it new functionalities (resistance to humidity, fire, etc.) while retaining its good intrinsic properties (absence of toxicity and biodegradation). The modifications and subsequent transformation into final applications will be carried out using innovative and environmentally friendly processes.
Among the various polymers extracted from non-food renewable resources, cellulose is the most abundant biopolymer on earth, and it is also recyclable and biodegradable. The three regions involved in the project, due to their climate and the quality of their soils and their specialized industries (plant fractionation, paper mills, biorefineries, etc.), have large quantities and diversity of cellulose resources.
The ValCelMat project aims to add value to cellulose in new applications such as packaging, textiles and additives for bioplastics and biocomposites in the broadest sense. Cellulose, easily and inexpensively extracted from plant biomass, will be modified in an eco-responsible way using sustainable chemistry or enzymatic processes, to give it new functionalities (barrier to micro-organisms, gas barrier, resistance to humidity and fire) while retaining its intrinsic properties (absence of toxicity and biodegradation).
The modifications are carried out using innovative, environmentally-friendly processes, in batch and also via continuous processes by reactive extrusion, with a view to scaling up for market applications. The beneficiaries of this project are entities from the paper, textile and plastics industries, thus covering a wide range of applications, and thus potentials for economic developments for the region, given the presence of this type of industries in ValCelMat's impact zone.
UGent CTSE contributes to this project with its expertise in electrospinning, as well as the subsequent characterization of the textile products produced. Electrospinning is applied for the processing of the modified cellulose into flat nanofiber membranes (analogous to a non-woven) for various end applications. The electrospinning process is also used as a functionalization method by the deposition of nanofibers on conventional cellulose-based yarns and fabrics in order to modify the surface properties of the textile for a better adhesion with the matrix (composites) as well as for modifying the hydrophobic/hydrophilic properties or fire retardancy. In addition, the wide portfolio of analytical tools at CTSE will be used to characterize the materials such as optical microscopy and SEM, the interaction with moisture via contact angle measurements and DVS, and the mechanical properties of composites via in-situ SEM analyses. In addition, CTSE also has the necessary infrastructure to characterize the fire-resistant properties.
CTSE also participates in the horizontal activities of the project: communication, eco-design, dissemination and exploitation of the project results.
