Methyl cellulose/cellulose nanocrystal nanocomposite fibers with high ductility.

Graphical abstract Highlights • A simple wet spinning of methylcellulose/cellulose nanocrystal hydrogels is reported. • The best results were obtained when the fiber composition was MC/CNC 80/20 wt%/wt%. • The MC/CNC nanocomposite fibers display high ductility and high modulus of toughness. • The ultimate strain, modulus of toughness and strength values were 36.1%, and 48.3 MJ/m3 and 190 MPa, respectively. • The ductility supersedes the values up to date reported in the literature for cellulose-based nanocomposite fibers. Abstract Methylcellulose/cellulose nanocrystal (MC/CNC) nanocomposite fibers showing high ductility and high modulus of toughness were prepared by a simple aqueous wet-spinning from corresponding nanocomposite hydrogels into ethanol coagulation bath followed by drying. The hydrogel MC aq. concentration was maintained at 1 wt-% while the CNC aq. loading was systematically varied in the range 0–3 wt-%. This approach resulted in MC/CNC fiber compositions from 25/75 wt-%/wt-% to 95/5 wt-%/wt-%. The optimal mechanical properties were achieved with the MC/CNC composition of 80/20 wt-%/wt-% allowing high strain (36.1%) and modulus of toughness (48.3 MJ/m3), still keeping a high strength (190 MPa). Further, we demonstrate that the continuous spinning of MC/CNC fibers is potentially possible. The results indicate possibilities to spin MC-based highly ductile composite fibers from environmentally benign aqueous solvents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]