Biocomposite material

摘要

A biocomposite material (1) and methods of production thereof are described. The biocomposite material (1) exhibits a physical stiffness, strength and toughness comparable to known glass fiber composites while its composition makes it inherently impermeable to water. A general formulation for the biocomposite material (1) is given by the expression: Cel(1-x-y) HPIx HPOy where “Cel” represents cellulose fragments (2), “HPI” represents hydrophilic binders (4), “HPO” represents hydrophobic binders (5) and (x) and (y) quantify the percentage by weight of the hydrophilic (4) and hydrophobic binders (5) present within a material, respectively. The described properties of the biocomposite material (1) are achieved when (x) is within the range of from 0.05 to 0.55 and (y) is within the range of from 0.05 to 0.65.

主权项

1. A biocomposite material comprising:
a plurality of cellulose fragments comprising a network of cellulose microfibrils; a hydrophilic binder located within the network of cellulose microfibrils, and a hydrophobic binder arranged to interact with the hydrophilic binder so as to encapsulate the plurality of cellulose fragments, wherein the hydrophilic binder comprises a hydrophilic or substantially hydrophilic polymer selected from a member of the group consisting of an acrylic resin, a partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate, gelatine and guar gum wherein the material exhibits a tensile strength in the range from 60 MPa to 1 GPa.