Gelation mechanism of freeze-crosslinked cellulose nanofiber gels with high compressive strength

Miura, Daisuke; Nankawa, Takuya ; Yamada, Teppei*; Sekine, Yurina   

We developed a crosslinking method using freeze concentration and used it to synthesize a carboxymethyl cellulose nanofiber (CMCF) hydrogel with high compressive strength and high formability. The reaction between freeze-concentrated CMCF and organic acids created a rigid porous structure. In this study, we found that the structure of the freeze-concentrated CMCF could be fixed by organic acids in presence of ice, and the fixed structure contributed the mechanical properties of the hydrogel. We will give a presentation on the gelation mechanism of the CMCF hydrogel.