The development of the layer-by-layer (LbL) technique has turned out to be an efficient way to physically modify the surface properties of different materials, for example to improve the adhesive interactions between fibers in paper. The main objective of the work described in this thesis was to obtain fundamental data concerning the adhesive properties of wood biopolymers and LbL films, including the mechanical properties of the thin films, in order to shed light on the molecular mechanisms responsible for the adhesion between these materials. LbLs constructed from poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH)/poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), starch containing LbL films, and LbL films containing nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) were studied with respect to their adhesive and mechanical properties. The LbL formation was studied using a combination of stagnation point adsorption reflectometry (SPAR) and quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) and the adhesive properties of the different LbL films were studied in water using atomic force microscopy (AFM) colloidal probe measurements and under ambient conditions using the Johnson-Kendall-Roberts (JKR) approach. Finally the mechanical properties were investigated by mechanical buckling and the recently developed SIEBIMM technique (strain-induced elastic buckling instability for mechanical measurements). From colloidal probe AFM measurements of the wet adhesive properties of surfaces treated with PAH/PAA it was concluded that the development of strong adhesive joints is very dependent on the mobility of the polyelectrolytes and interdiffusion across the interface between the LbL treated surfaces to allow for polymer entanglements. Starch is a renewable, cost-efficient biopolymer that is already widely used in papermaking which makes it an interesting candidate for the formation of LbL films in practical systems. It was shown, using SPAR and QCM-D, that LbL films can be successfully constructed from cationic and anionic starches on silicon dioxide and on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrates. Colloidal probe AFM measurements showed that starch LbL treatment have potential for increasing the adhesive interaction between solid substrates to levels beyond those that can be reached by a single layer of cationic starch. Furthermore, it was shown by SIEBIMM measurements that the elastic properties of starch-containing LbL films can be tailored using different nanoparticles in combination with starch. LbL films containing cellulose I nanofibrils were constructed using anionic NFC in combination with cationic NFC and poly(ethylene imine) (PEI) respectively. These NFC films were used as cellulose model surfaces and colloidal probe AFM was used to measure the adhesive interactions in water. Furthermore, PDMS caps were successfully coated by LbL films containing NFC which enabled the first known JKR adhesion measurements between cellulose/cellulose, cellulose/lignin and cellulose/glucomannan. The measured adhesion and adhesion hysteresis were similar for all three systems indicating that there are no profound differences in the interaction between different wood biopolymers. Finally, the elastic properties of PEI/NFC LbL films were investigated using SIEBIMM and it was shown that the stiffness of the films was highly dependent on the relative humidity. / <p>QC 20110923</p>

Atualmente, o Brasil é o maior fabricante de celulose branqueada de eucalipto do mundo. Geralmente as fibras virgens de Eucalyptus spp. são utilizadas na fabricação de papéis para imprimir, tissue e especiais. Papéis para embalagens, tipicamente Kraftliners, precisam de uma grande resistência mecânica e são produzidos principalmente a partir de pastas Kraft de coníferas não branqueadas. Por outro lado, nanoceluloses fabricadas a partir de biomassa são consideradas um dos materiais sustentáveis mais interessantes para o século, com excelentes propriedades como baixa densidade, elevadas propriedades mecânicas, alta hidrofilicidade, grande área superficial com reatividade química e elevado valor econômico. Desde 2012 o uso de nanoceluloses na fabricação de papel ganhou impulso. As nanoceluloses têm sido adicionadas em pastas mecânicas e Kraft branqueadas para fabricação do papel, incrementando notavelmente as suas propriedades mecânicas, mas há preocupações sobre a diminuição da drenabilidade, da porosidade e da opacidade do papel. Poucos estudos foram desenvolvidos visando a aplicação de nanoceluloses em fibras não branqueadas, ainda que tenham aplicações em pastas branqueadas e/ou mecânicas. Portanto, o presente trabalho visa desenvolver o uso de nanoceluloses para melhorar as propriedades mecânicas em fibras não branqueadas. Em primeiro lugar, tomaram-se os finos primários do branqueamento de celulose de Pasta Kraft de Eucalipto como a matéria-prima para produzir dois tipos de nanocelulose. A celulose microfibrilada (MFC) é produzida diretamente por homogeneização mecânica utilizando equipamento Masuko. A celulose nanofibrilada (CNF) é produzida por oxidação mediada por TEMPO e homogeneizada por GEA. Em segundo lugar, selecionaram-se com as fibras virgens de Pasta Kraft Marrom de Pinho (PKPM) com número Kappa 36,1 e Pasta Kraft de Eucalipto Não Branqueada (PKEP), obtida na saída de estágio de deslignificação com oxigênio, com número Kappa 9,21, e todas as fibras foram refinadas até atingir o mesmo grau Shopper-Riegler (33±1 SR). Os experimentos com PKPM são conduzidas como uma referência a papéis Kraftliners tradicionais, com ou sem nanocelluloses. Também obteve folhas manuais com pasta branqueada Kraft de eucalipto, adicionando nanoceluloses, para compreender o efeito da lignina presente em PKEP. A receita e os aditivos químicos aplicados aqui são os mesmos que na produção industrial. Os principais resultados são: o uso de CNF (ou MFC) e agentes químicos, separadamente, na pasta PKEP, aumenta as resistências mecânicas dos papéis, no entanto, quando aplicadas CNF (ou MFC) em PKMP sem aditivos químicos, as resistências à tração e a estouro diminuem, e a resistência ao rasgo permanece constante. Como a terceira parte do estudo, delineamento de experimentos teve a configuração composto central com o ponto central em 1% de CNF (ou MFC) e 1% de agentes químicos (polímero+amido+cola), e seus pontos axiais foram 0,3%-1,7% de CNF (ou MFC), e 0,15%-0,85% de agentes químicos. O ponto ótimo de equilíbrio dos índices de rasgo (mN.m2/g) /estouro (kPa.m2/g) /tração (N.m/g) de (10,00/2,25/36,56 para CNF e 12,88/4,25/57,62 para MFC), obteve-se com a adição de 1,03% de CNF e 0,65% de amido, ou com a adição de menos de 0,01% de MFC e de 1% de amido. Finalmente, foram aplicadas CNF ou MFC por impregnação direta no centro da direção-z, considerando que o papel tem forças que interagem em 3D. Os resultados mostram que a PKEP atinge a qualidade do Kraftliner de pinus obtendo um índice de tração de 52,58 N.m/g utilizando 1% de CNF, ou 47,40 N.m/g utilizando 1% de MFC. Também, o custo de utilização do CNF ou MFC na fabricação do papel é avaliado, resultando em estimativas de 0,9494 US$/kg ou 0,3036 US$/kg, com a adição de 1% de CNF ou 1% de MFC, respectivamente, em pasta PKEP. Este trabalho mostra que a aplicação de nanocelulose em Kraftliner tradicional com fibras de pinus com todos os agentes químicos não tem vantagens reais. No entanto, o uso de CNF e MFC tecnicamente e economicamente tem vantagens superiores em pasta Kraft de eucalipto não branqueada (e deslignificada com oxigênio), obtendo-se propriedades superiores às de fibras longas. / Nowadays, Brazil is the largest manufacturer of Bleached Eucalyptus Kraft Pulp in the world. Mostly the Eucalyptus spp. virgin fibres are used in papermaking to manufacture printing, tissue and specialty papers. Packaging papers, typically Kraftliners, have high demands for mechanical strength and are made mostly from Unbleached Softwood Kraft Pulp. Other side, nanocelluloses from biomass are considered one of the most interesting sustainable materials for the Century, with excel properties such as low density, high mechanical properties, high hydrophilicity, large surface area with chemical reactivity and high economic value. Since 2012 the use of nanocellulose in papermaking experienced a great momentum. Nanocelluloses are added in bleached or mechanical pulp in papermaking to increase significantly the mechanical properties, but there are concerns about the decreasing of the drainability, the porosity and the opacity of the paper. A very few studies were developed on the application of nanocelluloses in an unbleached Kraft pulp, even there are its applications on bleached pulps and mechanical pulps. Therefore, the present work aims to develop the application of nanocelluloses to increase the mechanical properties of the unbleached fibers, specifically for Kraftliners, and show the way to replace the softwood fibers with the low-cost hardwood fibers. Firstly, the primary fines from bleaching area of Eucalyptus Kraft pulp, obtained from an industrial residue, was the raw material for nanocellulose production of two nanocelluloses. The microfibrillated celluloses (MFC) are produced with direct mechanical homogenization using Masuko. The nanofibrillated cellulose (NCF) is produced with oxidation mediated by TEMPO and homogenization using GEA. Secondly, as virgin fibers were selected the Unbleached Pine Kraft Pulp (USKP) with Kappa number 36.1 and the Unbleached Eucalyptus Kraft Pulp (UEKP) just after the oxygen delignification stage with the Kappa number 9.21. All the fibres (USKP and UEKP) was refining at the same Shopper-Riegler (33±1 SR). USKP experiments are conducted as reference to traditional Kraftliners, with or without nanocelluloses. Also the virgin bleached Eucalyptus Kraft pulp with nanocelluloses addition for the handsheet paper helps to understand the role of lignin in UEKP. The recipe and chemicals applied here are the same of the industrial production. The main results are: the use CNF (or MFC) and chemical agents, separately, in UEKP, promote the mechanical resistances, however when applied CNF (or MFC) in UPKP without chemicals, the tensile and burst properties decreased and tear remains constant. As the third group of the study, the design of the experiments was conducted in the star configuration with centre point as 1% CNF (or MFC) and 1.00% chemical agents (polymers+starch+chemical agents) and, the axial points were 0.3%-1.7% NCF (or MFC) and 0.15%-0.85 of chemical agents. The optimum point from the balanced tear (mN.m2/g) /burst (kPa.m2/g) /tensile (N.m/g) index point of view with 10.00/2.25/36.56 for (1.03% CNF and 0.65% starch) and 12.88/4.25/57.62 for (<0.001% MFC and 1% starch). Finally, it is applied here the direct impregnation of the center of z-direction with 1% of CNF and MFC, considering that the paper has 3D interacting forces. The results show that the UEKP reaches the pinus Kraftliner quality with 52.58 N.m/g (Tensile Index) using 1% CNF or 47.40 N.m/g using 1% MFC. Also, the cost of use CNF or MFC in papermaking is evaluated, resulting in the estimates of 0.9494 US$/kg or 0.3036 US$/kg, the addition of 1% CNF or 1% MFC in UEKP. This work shows that the application of nanocellulose in traditional Kraftliner with pinus fibres with all chemical agents has no real advantages. However, the use of CNF and MFC technically and economically has superior advantages in Eucalyptus unbleached (and oxygen delignified) Kraft pulp, resulting in such properties superior to those of long fibres.

Abstract Cellulose micro- and nanofibrils are elongated, flexible nano-scale particles produced from natural fibres with intensive mechanical treatments, usually in the form of dilute aqueous suspensions. Due to the recalcitrant structure of the fibres, mechanical, chemical and enzymatic pre-treatments are often used to loosen the fibre wall structure so as to facilitate the mechanical liberation of micro- and nanofibrils and reduce the high amount of mechanical energy needed. However, it is still unclear how different chemistries affect the disintegration phenomena and how mechanical action starts to unravel the fibre structure, and thus how micro- and nanofibrillation could best benefit from the pre-treatments. In addition, the high water content used in the process increases the production and transportation costs of the material, so that the solids content should be increased. Reducing the water content before or after production would be challenging, however, due to changes in fibre properties during drying (hornification) and the tendency for the resulting nanofibrils to agglomerate. Also, the effect of high solids content and temperature on the reduction of fibres to nano- and microfibrils is still not well understood. The aims of this work were to follow the changes in fibre morphology after mechanical, chemical and thermal modification and address their effects on the disintegration phenomena of the fibres to microfibrils. Mechanical compression-shearing, two selective oxidations and thermal drying in combination with TEMPO oxidation were used to modify the fibre structure before mechanical disintegration in a high-shear homogenizer or ball mill. The results showed that sufficient swelling of the fibre cell walls was a prerequisite for successful microfibrillation. Swelling can be promoted by loosening the hydrogen bonding network with compression and shearing forces or by increasing the charge density. Different charge thresholds were observed for microfibrillation depending on the chemistry used. Extremely hornified fibres were also successfully microfibrillated with the aid of TEMPO oxidation. Different fibre disintegration mechanisms were seen depending on the modification type and disintegration conditions. In addition, micro- and nanofibrils and nanocrystals were successfully produced under high solids (≥ 50%) conditions. / Tiivistelmä Luonnonkuiduista saatavat selluloosamikro- ja -nanofibrillit ovat pitkiä ja joustavia nanokokoluokan partikkeleita, joita valmistetaan yleensä intensiivisillä mekaanisilla käsittelyillä vesiliuoksissa. Kuitujen lujan rakenteen vuoksi valmistuksessa käytetään usein mekaanisia, kemiallisia ja entsymaattisia esikäsittelyjä heikentämään kuituseinämän tiivistä rakennetta, mikä helpottaa mikro- ja nanofibrillien irtoamista kuituseinämästä, sekä alentaa valmistuksen mekaanisen energian tarvetta. On kuitenkin edelleen epäselvää, miten erilaiset kemialliset käsittelyt vaikuttavat kuitujen hajoamiseen, miten kuiturakenne alkaa purkautua mekaanisessa käsittelyssä ja miten esikäsittelyillä voitaisiin parhaiten edistää mikro- ja nanofibrilloitumista. Valmistuksessa käytettävä korkea vesipitoisuus lisää mikro- ja nanofibrillien valmistus- ja kuljetuskustannuksia. Vesipitoisuuden alentaminen valmistuksessa tai sen jälkeen on kuitenkin haastavaa, sillä kuituominaisuudet muuttuvat kuivatuksessa ja valmiit nanofibrillit kimppuuntuvat helposti. Korkean kuiva-ainepitoisuuden ja lämpötilan vaikutusta kuidun hajoamiseen mikro- ja nanofibrilleiksi ei myöskään ymmärretä vielä täysin. Työn tarkoituksena oli tutkia sellukuitujen rakenteen muutoksia mekaanisen, kemiallisen ja lämpömuokkauksen seurauksena, sekä tutkia niiden vaikutusta kuidun purkautumiseen mikrofibrilleiksi. Kuiturakennetta muokattiin puristus-hiertomenetelmällä, kahdella selektiivisellä hapetusmenetelmällä, sekä lämpökuivauksen ja nk. TEMPO-hapetuksen yhdistelmällä ennen kuitujen mekaanista hajottamista joko leikkaavassa homogenisaattorissa tai kuulamyllyssä. Tulosten perusteella riittävä kuituseinämän turvottaminen oli edellytys onnistuneelle mikrofibrilloinnille. Turpoamista saatiin edistettyä hajottamalla kuiduissa olevia vetysidosverkostoja puristus- ja leikkausvoimilla tai kasvattamalla anionisen varauksen määrää kuiduissa. Varauksen kynnysarvo mikrofibrilloitumiselle riippui käytetystä hapetusmenetelmästä. Myös kuivatuksessa erittäin sarveistuneet kuidut saatiin mikrofibrilloitua TEMPO-hapetuksen avulla. Tulosten perusteella kuiduilla on erilaisia hajoamismekanismeja, jotka riippuvat käytetystä muokkauksesta, sen intensiivisyydestä, sekä hajottamisolosuhteista. Työssä onnistuttiin myös valmistamaan mikro- ja nanofibrillejä, sekä nanokiteitä tavanomaista huomattavasti korkeammassa (≥50 %) kuiva-ainepitoisuudessa.

Abstract The chemicals currently used for wastewater treatment are mainly based on synthetic inorganic or organic compounds. Oil-derived polyelectrolytes are used for the removal of colloidal solids from wastewater by flocculation and coagulation, for example, while activated carbon adsorbents are typically used to remove soluble impurities such as heavy metals and recalcitrance organic matter. Many of these chemicals have associated negative health impacts, and use of activated carbon has proved to be expensive. Moreover, the present synthetic chemicals are not readily biodegradable or renewable. Thus there is a high demand for “green” water chemicals which could offer a sustainable solution for achieving high-performance, cheap water purification. Water chemicals of a new type based on nano-scale particles (nanofibrils) derived from cellulose, i.e. nanocelluloses, are examined as possible bio-based chemicals for wastewater treatment. Two anionic nanocelluloses (dicarboxylic acid, DCC, and sulphonated ADAC) were tested as flocculants in the coagulation-flocculation treatment of municipal wastewater, while the flocculation performance of cationic nanocellulose (CDAC) was studied with model kaolin clay suspensions, and nanocelluloses produced from sulphonated wheat straw pulp fines (WADAC) were tested for the adsorption of lead (Pb(II)). The anionic nanocelluloses (DCC and ADAC) showed good performance in treating municipal wastewater in a combined coagulation-flocculation process with a ferric coagulant. In the case of both anionic nanocelluloses the combined treatment resulted in a lower residual turbidity and COD in a settled suspension with highly reduced total chemical consumption relative to coagulation with ferric sulphite alone. Likewise, the CDACs resulted in powerful aggregation of kaolin colloids and maintained effective flocculation performance over wide pH and temperature ranges. The capacity of the nanofibrillated and sulphonated fines cellulosics (WADAC) for the adsorption of Pb(II) was 1.2 mmol/g at pH 5, which is comparable to the capacities of commercial adsorbents. / Tiivistelmä Jätevesien kemiallinen käsittely pohjautuu pääsääntöisesti synteettisten epäorgaanisten ja orgaanisten kemikaalien käyttöön. Öljypohjaisia polyelektrolyytteja käytetään kolloidisten partikkeleiden poistamiseen jätevesistä koaguloimalla ja flokkuloimalla, kun taas liuenneita epäpuhtauksia, kuten raskasmetalleja, poistetaan useimmiten adsorboimalla ne aktiivihiileen. Synteettiset vesikemikaalit valmistetaan uusiutumattomista luonnonvaroista ja niiden hajoaminen luonnossa voi olla hidasta, minkä lisäksi monet näistä käytetyistä synteettisistä vesikemikaaleista ovat terveydelle haitallisia. Aktiivihiilen käyttö puolestaan on kallista, johtuen sen korkeista valmistus- ja käyttökustannuksista. Uusille ”vihreille vesikemikaaleille, jotka tarjoavat ympäristöystävällisempiä, halpoja sekä tehokkaita ratkaisuja vedenpudistukseen, onkin suuri kysyntä. Tässä työssä selluloosasta valmistettuja nanokokoisia partikkeleita, eli nanoselluloosia, on tutkittu yhtenä varteenotettavana biovaihtoehtona uusiksi kemikaaleiksi jätevesien puhdistukseen. Kahden anionisen nanoselluloosan (dikarboksyyli, DCC, ja sulfonoitu, ADAC) flokkauskykyä testattiin koagulointi-flokkulointi reaktioissa kunnallisen jäteveden puhdistuksessa. Kationisen nanosellun (CDAC) flokkauskykyä tutkittiin puolestaan kaoliinisaven malliliuoksilla ja vehnän korsisellun hienoaineista nanofibrilloimalla sekä sulfonoimalla valmistetuilla (WADAC) nanoselluloosamateriaaleilla testattiin lyijyn (Pb(II)) adsorptiota vesiliuoksista. Anioniset nanoselluloosat (DCC ja ADAC) toimivat tehokkaasti kunnallisen jäteveden flokkauksessa ferri-sulfaatin kanssa yhdistetyissä koagulointiflokkulointi reaktioissa. Yhdistetyissä reaktioissa molemmat anioniset nanoselluloosat vähensivät sameutta sekä COD pitoisuutta laskeutetuissa jätevesinäytteissä huomattavasti pienemmillä kemikaalikulutuksilla paremmin kuin pelkästään ferri-sulfaatilla koaguloitaessa. Myös CDAC:t toimivat tehokkaasti flokkauksessa keräten tehokkaasti kaoliinin kolloidipartikkeleita yhteen laajalla pH- ja lämpötila-alueella. Nanofibrilloidun ja sulfonoidun vehnäsellun hienoaineen (WADAC) adsorptiokapasiteetti lyijylle Pb(II) oli 1.2 mmol/g pH:ssa 5, mikä on verrannollinen kaupallisten adsorptiomateriaalien kapasiteettiin.

Devido à preocupação com o meio ambiente e o volume crescente de resíduos plástico em aterros sanitários, os polímeros biodegradáveis estão sendo estudados extensivamente. Um deles é o PLA. Apesar de possuir propriedades comparáveis a polímeros commodities e polímeros de engenharia, ainda é necessário melhorar certas características do PLA, como resistência ao impacto. Para isso, a nanocelulose (NC) pode ser usada sem alterações significativas na biodegradação polimérica. Este estudo teve como objetivo obter a nanocelulose, caracteriza-la e incorpora-la ao poli(ácido láctico) (PLA), assim como, estudar as propriedades térmicas, morfológicas e mecânicas do compósito obtido. A NC foi obtida por hidrólise ácida utilizando ácido fosfórico e posteriormente foi silanizada com três silanos distintos. As nanopartículas foram caracterizadas por Birrefringência, Microscopia Eletrônica de Transmissão (MET), Termogravimetria (TG), Potencial Zeta, Espectroscopia Vibracional de Absorção no Infravermelho com Transformada de Fourier (FTIR) e Difração de Raio X (DRX). Com as imagens obtidas pelo MET foi possível medir o tamanho das partículas de NC. E então obter a razão de aspecto de 82 e o limite de percolação de 1,1% em massa, confirmando a morfologia de nanofibra. De acordo as analises TG\'s, a presença de NC silanizada aumentou o início da degradação térmica. Os compósitos, contendo 3% em massa de NC, foram obtidos por fusão em câmara de mistura e moldados por injeção. Os compósitos foram caracterizados por FTIR, Cromatografia de Permeação em Gel (GPC), TG, Calorimetria Exploratória Diferencial (DSC), Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV-FEG), Impacto e Tração. As análises dos compósitos mostraram que a NC atuou como agente de nucleação, facilitando a cristalização do PLA, além de a NC ter atuado como reforço na matriz polimérica melhorando as propriedades mecânicas. / Due to concern for the environment and the growing volume of plastic waste in landfills, biodegradable polymers are being studied extensively. One of them is the PLA. Despite properties comparable to commodities polymers and engineering polymers, it is still necessary to improve certain characteristics of PLA, such as impact resistance. For this, the nanocelulose (CN) can be used without significant changes on the polymeric biodegradation. This study aimed to obtain nanocelulose, characterizes it and incorporates it to polylactic acid (PLA), even as, studies of thermal, morphological and mechanical properties of the composites processed. The CN was obtained by acid hydrolysis using phosphoric acid and it was, subsequently, silanized with three different silanes. The nanoparticles were characterized by Birefringence, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Thermogravimetry (TG), Zeta Potential, Spectroscopy Absorption Vibrational Infrared Fourier Transform (FTIR) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). By images taken by TEM was possible to measure the size of particles CN. So, obtain the aspect ratio of 82 and the percolation limit of 1.1 wt%, demonstrating morphology of nanofiber. According to TG analysis, the beginning of thermal degradation increased when CN Pure was compared with modified CN. The composite, containing 3 wt% CN, were obtained by melt in mixing chamber and then injection molded. The composites were characterized by FTIR, Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC), TG, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Impact and Tensile Strength. The results showed that the CN acts as a nucleating agent in PLA, facilitating the crystallization and acts as reinforcement in polymer matrix to improve the mechanical properties.

Orientador: Danielle Goveia / Resumo: Estudos epidemiológicos mostram que uma parcela significativa da população mundial, independente de idade, etnia e localização geográfica, apresenta baixos níveis séricos de vitamina D3. Neste contexto, a incorporação da vitamina D3 em novos sistemas de liberação de fármacos, como os sistemas transdérmicos, têm sido apontados como alternativa para a administração deste medicamento. A extração da nanocelulose de fibras vegetais e sua utilização na fabricação de insumos da área da saúde tem se destacado na medicina, pois apresenta propriedades como biocompatibilidade, biodegradabilidade e baixa toxicidade. A celulose tem um longo histórico de aplicações na área da saúde, agindo como mediador na liberação controlada de fármacos, mas sua utilização nanoestruturada em membranas, como sistema de liberação local de fármacos ainda é um desafio. Neste estudo foi desenvolvida uma membrana, pela técnica de “casting”, de nanocelulose extraída do linter de algodão e vitamina D3 acrescidos dos componentes, álcool polivinílico, glicerina e tween 80. A nanocelulose e as membranas foram caracterizadas por microscopia eletrônica de varredura de alta resolução (MEV-FEG), espectroscopia no infravermelho com transformada de Fourier (FT-IR), teste de tração no dinamômetro e a cinética de liberação do fármaco por espectroscopia molecular no ultravioleta visível (UV-Vis). A membrana apresentou reprodutibilidade na síntese, ótimas propriedades físicas como flexibilidade, transparência e elasticidade,... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Epidemiological studies show that a significant portion of the population has low serum vitamin D3 levels, regardless of age, ethnicity and geographical location. In this context, the incorporation of vitamin D3 in new drug delivery systems, such as transdermal systems, has been suggested as an alternative for the administration of this drug. The extraction of nanocellulose from plant fibers and its use in the manufacture of health inputs has been highlighted in medicine, as it has properties such as biocompatibility, biodegradability and low toxicity. Cellulose has a long history of healthcare applications, acting as a mediator in controlled drug release, but its nanostructured use in membranes as a local drug delivery system is still a challenge. In this study a membrane was developed by casting technique of nanocellulose extracted from cotton linter and vitamin D3 plus the components, polyvinyl alcohol, glycerin and tween 80. Nanocellulose and membranes were characterized by high scanning electron microscopy. resolution (SEM-FEG), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), dynamometer tensile test and drug release kinetics by visible ultraviolet molecular spectroscopy (UV-Vis). The membrane showed reproducibility in synthesis, excellent physical properties such as flexibility, transparency and elasticity, as well as adequate resistance for biomedical applications. Through the FT-IR it was observed the presence of all active components in the sample, without structura... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

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In the past few years, studies regarding new bio-based materials have led to an increased attention in the nanoscale product of cellulose, called nanocellulose. This biodegradable and renewable material has interesting physical, optical and thermal properties. The optical properties could be affected by tuning the nanostructure of the material, which makes it interesting for further investigation. The promising properties of nanocellulose can be useful in many different applications. The aim of this work was therefore to study the optical properties of nanocellulose, and to examine if the material is suitable for spectral design of camouflage or in passive cooling applications. The optical properties of a nanocellulose, specifically cellulose nanofiber (CNF), have been studied. Freestanding CNF films and CNF films deposited on glass substrates were made and characterized by spectroscopy, ellipsometry, BRDF measurements, and optical microscopy. The freestanding samples were examined with different CNF concentrations of 0.52% and 1.0%, and different thicknesses. The samples on glass substrates all had a concentration of 1.0% CNF, but with different amount deposited solution which was either drop or spin coated. The freestanding CNF samples show high transmission in the visual region and relatively high emissivity in the atmospheric windows. This implies that it can be used as an effective material for passive radiative cooling. A thicker sample could also be used to increase the emissivity in the atmospheric windows and improve the ability for passive cooling. The low reflectance, and high emissivity in the atmospheric windows can be promising for use in camouflage applications, according to earlier studies. However, the suitable properties are very dependent on the spectral response of the background. Additional measurements need to be performed and more specified scenarios are necessary to draw any further conclusions.

This understanding of nanocellulose can be directly applied in future formulation design to use nanocellulose in polymer nanocomposites, foams, emulsions, latexes, gels and biomedical materials. / In this study, the potential of nanocellulose as a reinforcing agent in composite materials was investigated using atomic force microscopy (AFM). AFM was used to probe the mechanical properties of nanocelluloses and to investigate their interactions and adhesion in liquid media. Amplitude modulated-frequency modulated AFM was used to map the mechanical properties of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs). Results showed Young’s moduli of 90 GPa and 120 GPa for CNCs and CNFs, respectively, which are comparable to literature values determined using other methods. Additionally, colloid probe AFM was implemented to observe the interactions (attractive, repulsive, steric, adhesive) between cellulose and silica colloid probes with anionic CNCs (containing either a Na+ or H+ counterion) and cationic CNCs. Colloid probe AFM measurements were carried out in five different liquid media: two salt solutions (NaCl and CaCl2) and three surfactant solutions (cationic cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, CTAB; anionic sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS; and nonionic Triton X100). It was found that low salt concentrations resulted in electrostatic repulsion and high adhesion, whereas the reverse was observed at high salt concentrations. On the contrary, an increased surfactant concentration and increased number of surfactant aggregates (micelles, bilayers, etc.) resulted in increased adhesion. Surprisingly, the interactions were strongly dependent on the CNC counterion as surfactant adsorption seemed to be primarily driven by electrostatic interactions; CTAB adsorbed more to anionic CNCs, SDS adsorbed more to cationic CNCs and Triton X100 adsorbed minimally to all CNCs. Electrophoretic mobility and particle size data showed complementary results to colloid probe AFM, indicating that interactions between surfactants and CNC films and CNCs in suspension are closely related. This research suggests that CNCs have potential as reinforcing agents due to their high strength and the tunability of their interactions through the simple addition of salts or surfactants. This understanding can be directly applied in future formulation design to use nanocellulose in polymer nanocomposites, foams, emulsions, latexes, gels and biomedical materials. / Thesis / Master of Applied Science (MASc) / Nanocellulose is a sustainable nanomaterial most commonly extracted from plants and trees. In recent research, nanocellulose has been shown to have potential as a reinforcing agent for materials such as plastics, foams, paints and adhesives. In this study, the potential of nanocellulose was investigated using atomic force microscopy (AFM). As predicted, AFM measurements indicated that nanocellulose has a high stiffness, supporting the substitution of this biobased material in the place of metals and synthetic fibres. AFM was also used to examine particle interactions in salt and soap-like (surfactant) solutions; changes in nanocellulose size and charge were used to support the findings. Negatively charged nanocellulose interacted more with positively charged surfactants and vice versa. Low salt and high surfactant concentrations led to high adhesion and better material compatibility, which is preferred. This understanding can help us design better nanocellulose materials for future applications.