(667b) Tree Bark-Derived Lignin Containing Nanocellulose Fibrils for Enhancing Performance of Plastic Composites

In recent years, we have developed novel lignin containing nanocellulose fibrils (LNCF) from tree bark residues in sawmills. LCNFs showed great promises as renewable lignocellulosic nanobiofillers for making high performance plastic composites. With the presence of lignin on the surface, LNCFs exhibited some distinctive characteristics compared to conventional nanocellulose fibrils without lignin. The processing method for producing LNCFs using bark residues was simple and required low energy input. We have demonstrated excellent potentials of applying bark derived LNCFs for reinforcing engineering plastics as well as making fully biodegradable plastic biocomposites with highly improved mechanical properties and functional performances. Melt blending of spray dried LNCFs with polypropylene showed the resulting composites having significantly improved water-repellence, thermal stability, and tensile properties compared to composites made with nanocellulose fibrils without lignin. With LNFCs additions to PLA matrix, higher mechanical, thermal, and water vapour barrier properties were observed for the fully biodegradable biocomposites due to effective interfacial coupling. Our study has showcased that LNCFs derived from forestry residues can act as highly effective reinforcing nanofillers well-suited for making high performance sustainable plastic and biodegradable composites.