Strong and tough cellulose nanofibers (CNF) are in high demand in the field of polymer composites. Recently, researchers have successfully employed different alignment techniques such as wet spinning, stretching, electric field, and magnetic field alignment to improve the mechanical properties of CNFs. However, none of these techniques were capable to achieve the goal of tensile strength above 600MPa. Herein, we utilize a high-performance bio-based hydrogen-bonded polyvinyl alcohol-citric acid-lignin (H-PCL) resin synthesized by our research group to functionalize CNFs via coating and blending techniques followed by post-heat treatment at 180℃ for esterification of resin. The esterified poly (vinyl alcohol)-citric acid-lignin resin (E-PCL)-CNF fibers were characterized and discovered to exhibit a dramatic increase in mechanical properties. Moreover, E-PCL/CNF fibers also possess high hydrophobicity and high thermal stability. These exceptional and impressive properties of E-PCL/CNF make them an ideal candidate for all-green fiber-reinforced polymer composites and in other structural applications.
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