Nanotextured surfaces for membranes, protective textiles, friction pads and abrasive materials

Cellulose, the most abundant polymer on Earth, is a classic example of a high reinforcement materials produced from renewable resources. Cellulose nanomaterials produced either with chemical and/or mechanical means from
cellulose fibres are safe, biodegradable, ultra-strong, durable and suitable for novel functional applications. Cellulose nanomaterials strengthen the production of lean added value products. They enable novel functional products and
improve the competitiveness of European industry. However, it is necessary to further develop application processes for cellulose nanomaterials.
NanoTextSurf aims to upgrade existing pilot lines for manufacturing and demonstrating nanotextured surfaces with mechanically enhanced properties. The focal approach of the surface manufacturing concept is to construct nanostructured surfaces based on nanoscale biomaterials. Formation of surfaces will be realised by utilising these building blocks with on-line application techniques (cast and foam coating and screen-printing), which enable the
formation of the true nanotextured architecture. This approach will guarantee that robust, efficient and easily upscalable processes with in-line controlling methods will be available as open access services with reasonable costs.
The nanotextured products and their mechanically enhanced performance will be demonstrated as value added products of the existing and novel bio-based membranes at liquid purification, functional textiles for fire retardant
fabrics and linings, novel friction materials for transport applications and abrasive materials for surface finishing. Their economic feasibility, safety and environmental acceptability will be evaluated with life cycle sustainability
assessment. The results can be exploited in the existing manufacturing lines. Besides these products, NanoTextSurf partners have recognised additional markets such as hospital textiles, industrial wipes, air purification filters and food
packaging materials.

The NanoTextSurf project aims at creating unique material properties and next generation products with surface treatments and coatings containing nanocelluloses. Nanocelluloses are plant or usually wood-based nanomaterials that have particles sizes in nanometer scale.
The nanotextured surfaces are created on textile, paper and plastic webs with various application techniques. After the treatment, the web has properties such as antifouling, pollutant capturing, improved strength, right tribological properties, enhanced durability in grinding and barrier against adhesive glue. Nanocellulose can directly provide the desired property or act as a binder for another agent on the surface. Stability of the nanocellulose dispersions or foams in the application is an example of typical challenges.
The suitability of these materials is demonstrated for filtering membranes, textile workwears, low-friction materials, and surface finishing applications.