Naturally occuring ligno-cellulosic materials are composed of bundles of cellulose chains called fibrils with cross-sectional dimensions from 10 to 20 nm and lengths of microns. Through a combination of mechanical, chemical and enzymatic treatments, these fibrils can be separated and used as a cheap source of nanofibres. Recently, cellullose nanofibres have been attracting great interest as they are chemically inert, biodegradable, have high strength and stiffness, are compatible with a wide range of materials and can also be easily mixed or extruded due to the short fibre length. They can be used for scaffolds in protein engineering, additives in non-woven manufacture and composites, reinforce fibres in bio composites, used to produce hydrogels, anti-microbial films and in high technology devices.

The stability and rheology of a celullose nanofibre suspension can be modified by adsorbing polymers to the surface of the fibres. The polymer can either cause an attraction between particles, leading to aggregation and network formation which increases the viscosity and yield stress, or cause repulsion between fibres which lowers yield stress and viscosity, producing a more stable suspension.

• Applications of Cellulose Nanofibres