Grafting from cellulose nanofibres with naturally-derived oil to reduce water absorption

Cellulose nanofibres (CNF) derived from spinifex grass were surface modified via grafting with an epoxidized soybean oil (ESO), which improved its hydrophobicity. The method was successfully applied to CNF-derived nanopaper, as well as a paper containing micro- and nanofibres to compare substrate morphology effects. The water absorption capacity of ESO-grafted nanopaper was reduced by 40% compared to untreated nanopaper, and the contact angle of...