Surface modification of CNF films by roll-to-roll nanoimprinting and plasma deposition

Films prepd. using renewable, plant-derived nanoscaled cellulosic materials (cellulose nanofibrils, CNF) have unique phys. properties: they are strong and they can appear translucent or even fully transparent, they possess good thermal stability, moderate smoothness and high d. CNF films might act as a base material for an electronic platform oriented towards food, security and medical sectors as well as an attractive recyclable and biodegradable solns. for use in, for example, packaging, printed optics, and optoelectronics. To tailor the CNF film surface properties, e.g. towards higher water tolerance, nanoarchitecture and chem. modifications are straightforward routes. In this study, we present an innovative approach of combining nanoimprint lithog. (NIL) to produce microstructured CNF films with direct interfacial gas-phase modification of already assembled film structures. Patterned nanocellulosic films were surface modified either with hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO) or (3-aminopropyl)-trimethoxysilan (APTES) by plasma deposition which was implemented by facile and upscalable unit operations using R2R technol. As a result, such treatments of CNF films allow surface hydrophobization and improved gas barrier performance at high relative humidity levels. Main results and possible applications for the developed materials will be discussed.