In the present work, nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) has been chemically modified by nanoemulsion process.
Surface chemical modification has been proved by Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR).
Modified NFCs have been added in wet-end paper process for the first time and the properties of the
ensuing fibre-based materials have been measured. Mechanical reinforcement is observed whichever
the NFC (treated or not). With 16 wt% of modified NFC, Young’s modulus and breaking length display an
increase of 72% and 51% respectively. Air permeability strongly decreases with modified NFC. The main
advantage is the strong diminution of water absorption (divided by more than 6). The synergy of such
properties is very difficult to achieve and this new strategy opens the field of several application like
barrier material or filtration