A comparative study of the properties of three nanofibrillated cellulose systems that have been produced at about the same energy consumption levels in the mechanical delamination step

The viscosity, tensile strength- and barrier properties of enzymatically pre-treated- (NFCEnz), carboxymethylated- (NFCCarb) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) modified (NFCCMC) nanofibrillated cellulose systems (NFC) that have been produced at about the same energy consumption levels in the mechanical delamination step in the manufacturing of the different NFCs are reported. It was found that NFCEnz and NFCCMC are characterized by low degrees of fibrillation. Carboxymethylated NFC displayed superior tensile strength properties, lower fiber fragment content and a higher viscosity when compared to NFCEnz and NFCCMC. Interestingly, NFCEnz displayed equal or better barrier properties compared to the highly fibrillated NFCCarb.