All-cellulose composite: regenerated cellulose as matrix and lignocellulosic fiber networks as reinforcement

• Grant number: 25/00243-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: January 01, 2026
• End date: December 31, 2029
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Organic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Antonio Aprigio da Silva Curvelo
• Grantee: Matheus Fernandes Flores
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química de São Carlos (IQSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

With the depletion of non-renewable fossil resources, academia and industry have emphasized the need for more sustainable approaches, particularly in polymer science. In this context, cellulose, the most abundant natural macromolecule on Earth, has garnered growing interest. Among the various applications of cellulose, the production of macromolecular derivatives, substrate for the production of second-generation ethanol and use as a reinforcing element in composites stand out. Among the latter, composites made exclusively of cellulose present a solution that overcomes the low chemical compatibility between cellulosic fibers and traditionally employed thermoplastic polymer matrices. To deepen the study of composites made exclusively from cellulose, this project proposes the use of regenerated cellulose as a matrix and lignocellulosic fibers as reinforcing elements. The doctoral research focuses on four main objectives: I) Compare and select the best system for cellulose dissolution/regeneration; II) Use lignocellulosic fiber networks (low-grammage papers) as reinforcing elements in cellulosic composites; III) Investigate the effect of varying lignin and hemicellulose contents (present in unbleached pulps) on the production of cellulosic composites; and IV) Explore the use of whole sugarcane bagasse for selective cellulose dissolution/regeneration (using the pith fraction as a source of regenerated cellulose and the fiber fraction as a reinforcing element) in the production of all-cellulose composites. The characterization of processes/products will involve chemical, physicochemical, thermal, and mechanical behavior analyses. (AU)