Nanocellulose

Coatings developed in Triple-A-COAT are based on nanocellulose. This abundant, bio-based nanomaterial, isolated for the first time in the 1980s from wood pulp, has very different properties from normal cellulosic material.

Coatings developed in Triple-A-COAT are based on nanocellulose. This abundant, bio-based nanomaterial, isolated for the first time in the 1980s from wood pulp, has very different properties from normal cellulosic material.

Nanocellulose is a potential replacement for synthetic polymers in many applications, including food packaging, greaseproof paper, and medical products. It is biodegradable, can be chemically modified (due to hydroxyl groups at its surface), and is stable up to temperatures of around 80°C.

In Triple-A-COAT we work with the three main forms of nanocellulose, produced by three of our industry partners, with diverse structures and properties:

cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) produced by acid hydrolysis of wood pulp
cellulose nanofibers (CNF) produced by mechanical processing of wood pulp
bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) produced by bacteria in a biotechnological fermentation process

Between them, the three forms of nanocellulose will be evaluated for their properties as coatings and films, either singly or in combination to obtain the performance we need for different applications.

Moderate antimicrobial activity has been reported for at least one form of nanocellulose, and also modification of nanocellulose to improve its activity against certain microorganisms. In Triple-A-COAT, we will enhance nanocellulose by further processes, to achieve the required activity against pathogens.

Active compounds can be attached to nanocellulose either through chemical bonds or by physical absorption. As a polymer film, nanocellulose can also have nanopatterning applied through various methods, as an alternative approach to inhibit microbial colonisation.