The packaging industry is under increasing pressure to reduce reliance on fossil-based plastics and move toward renewable, recyclable alternatives. Paper is an attractive candidate, but it lacks the barrier properties needed to block grease, oil, and oxygen. A promising solution is to coat paper with a thin layer of nanocellulose. Derived from plant fibers, nanocellulose is renewable, lightweight, and has excellent barrier performance. However, the challenge is not only producing nanocellulose, but also applying it uniformly at industrial scale. Nanocellulosic suspensions exhibit unusual rheological behavior, making them more difficult to process than conventional coating fluids. To make paper-based packaging a viable commercial alternative, engineers need a better understanding of how these suspensions behave under realistic coating conditions.
Slot-die coating has emerged as one of the most promising methods for applying nanocellulose. It is already used in the production of batteries, electronics, and solar cells, where precise, defect-free coatings are critical. As a pre-metered process, slot-die allows engineers to control the wet-film thickness simply by adjusting the flowrate and the substrate speed. However, the process only works within a limited...
Would you like to access the complete CEP Article?
No problem. You just have to complete the following steps.
You have completed 0 of 2 steps.
-
Log in
You must be logged in to view this content. Log in now.
-
AIChE Membership
You must be an AIChE member to view this article. Join now.
Copyright Permissions
Would you like to reuse content from CEP Magazine? It’s easy to request permission to reuse content. Simply click here to connect instantly to licensing services, where you can choose from a list of options regarding how you would like to reuse the desired content and complete the transaction.