Browsing by Author "Kalia, Susheel"

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    Cellulose-Based Bio- and Nanocomposites: A Review
    (2011-10-01T00:00:00Z) Kalia, Susheel; Dufresne, Alain; Cherian, Bibin Mathew; Kaith, B. S.; Avérous, Luc; Njuguna, James A. K.; Nassiopoulos, Elias
    Cellulose macro- and nanofibers have gained increasing attention due to the high strength and stiffness, biodegradability and renewability, and their production and application in development of composites. Application of cellulose nanofibers for the development of composites is a relatively new research area. Cellulose macro- and nanofibers can be used as reinforcement in composite materials because of enhanced mechanical, thermal, and biodegradation properties of composites. Cellulose fibers are hydrophilic in nature, so it becomes necessary to increase their surface roughness for the development of composites with enhanced properties. In the present paper, we have reviewed the surface modification of cellulose fibers by various methods. Processing methods, properties, and various applications of nanocellulose and cellulosic composites are also discussed in this paper.
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    Natural Fibers, Bio- and Nanocomposites
    (2011-10-12T00:00:00Z) Kalia, Susheel; Avérous, Luc; Njuguna, James A. K.; Cherian, Bibin Mathew; Dufresne, Alain
    The field of bio- and nano- polymer composite materials for advanced structural and medical applications is a fast emergent area and subject of scientific attention. Natural fibers have received great interest as fillers for polymer composites because of the environmental issues in combination with their low cost. Cellulose nanofibers reinforced polymer composites is a fast growing area of research because of their enhanced mechanical, thermal and biodegradation properties. Composites with polymer matrices and cellulose nanofibers are increasingly regarded as an alternative to conventional composites. The properties of nanocomposite materials depend not only on the properties of their individual constituents but also on their morphology and interfacial characteristics. This rapidly expanding field is generating many exciting new materials with novel properties. The special issue will be interesting for researchers working in this field as it will deals with cellulose fibers, nanofibers and covers the latest advances in bio- and nano- polymer composite materials.