Doctoral candidate Hamidreza Daghigh Shirazi from Aalto University visited the Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE) to explore fabrication of aligned nanocellulose films using a novel strategy.
This work aimed at creating flexible films with improved mechanical properties and anisotropic optical properties through alignment of cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) upon film formation. The research was divided in three short research visits in Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE); the first visit was devoted to establishing the feasibility and developing the original idea, followed by characterization and optimization of the ruling parameters. The higher alignment of the fibrils is expected to improve the mechanical properties of the films in terms of stiffness and tensile strength. Also, the birefringence of aligned CNF yields in higher intensity of transmitted polarized light, which enables light management opportunities. The outcome of this research provides a scalable method that can pave the path toward, for instance, eco-friendly flexible substrates for optoelectronic devices.
These research visits during late 2021 and early 2022 were supported by the FinnCERES GoGlobal mobility program. Keep an eye on Hamidreza's upocoming publications at research.aalto.fi.
