Dried nanocellulose/xanthan as reinforcing fillers in thermoplastic starch

Nanocellulose fibres are known to enhance the mechanical properties of biopolymers when added as a filler. Nanocellulose irreversibly agglomerates upon drying and is therefore sold as an aqueous gel or suspension, increasing shipping cost and limiting application. This work studied the utility of xanthan gum as a dispersant aid for dried nanocellulose fibres. At levels as low as 15% xanthan gum addition, based on the mass of nanocellulose, prior to drying, agglomeration was significantly decreased. Mild shear rates could disperse the dried nanocellulose to a similar degree as ultrasonication when xanthan gum was present. Several complementary techniques, such as rheology, turbidimetry, and SEM- and TEM-imaging, proved that the native nanocellulose properties could be recovered after drying. Xanthan gum and nanocellulose, when incorporated into thermoplastic starch, showed a synergistic effect regarding the increase in tensile strength of the resultant biopolymer film. The addition of previously dried nanocellulose/xanthan, in a 4:1 ratio, to thermoplastic starch at a starch-cellulose ratio of 20:1, increased the tensile strength from 5.4 to 23.0 MPa. The ability to produce a dispersible and dry nanocellulose product that retains its properties has clear commercial benefits.