• Tsitko, Irina
• Kangas, Heli
• Pitkänen, Marja
• Vikman, Minna
• Vartiainen, Jari

Abstract

Cellulose nanomaterials have unique properties that makethem potential for numerous applications. One of theirmost promising applications is transparent cellulosefilms with excellent strength, density and smoothness.Cellulose films could be utilized as gas barriers inpackaging, substrates for printed electronics, indiagnostics or even as electronic displays instead ofoil-based plastic films. From the safety point of view,the advantages of cellulose nanomaterials have beenargued to be their benign nature towards humans and theenvironment as well as their biodegradability. Results onthe biodegradability of different grades of cellulosenanofibrils (CNF) and their products, namely CNF filmsand papers coated with CNF are presented in this paper.In addition, results on the toxicity of cellulosenanofibrils to humans as well as ecotoxicity duringbiodegradation in the composting environment arereported. The results of biodegradability tests (OECD301B) of two different grades of CNF indicate that theirbiodegradability is dependent on the fibrillation degree,the finer grade degrading faster than the coarser grade.The biodegradability test (EN 14046) of CNF films andpapers containing CNF showed that all the CNF productstested were biodegradable according to the requirementsset in the standard (EN 13432). In the composting test(EN 14045) disintegration of CNF products was observed inthe composting environment with no acute ecotoxicityduring biodegradation. Regarding toxicity to humans, someindication of cytotoxicity was observed for nano-scalecellulose fibrils. However, all the other toxicity testsresults, including in vivo tests with Nematode, showed nosign of toxicity.

Topics

• density
• impedance spectroscopy
• surface
• polymer
• strength
• Hydrogen
• cellulose
• toxicity
• drying