Surface Characteristics and Thermodynamic Adsorption in Nanocellulose Reinforced Bagasse Fiber-Cement Composites

In this study, the surface properties of bacterial nanocellulose reinforced bagasse fiber-cement composites (FCCs) have been investigated. Inverse gas chromatography (IGC) was used to evaluate the surface properties in composites reinforced with BNC, as powder (P), gel (G), and coated on fibers (C). Results indicated that BNC made the FCC surfaces more reactive, increasing the dispersive and specific interactions. Incorporation of C and G forms of BNC enhanced the surface properties. The surface basicity was substantially decreased with G form, due to the organic predominant surface with small amounts of precipitated minerals. However, it seems that the C form prevented fiber mineralization increasing the inorganic components at the surface and increasing basicity. A linear decrease of dispersive component of the surface energy with the increase of temperature was also observed. These results could contribute to develop a new generation of green and environmentally friendly composites