Water Hyacinth as a Renewable Source of Cellulose Nanofibers: Fabrication and Properties of Optically Transparent Nanocomposites

Due to its rapid reproduction, high cellulose content, and low lignin proportion, water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is a sustainable raw material for preparing cellulose nanofibers (CNFs). We extracted CNFs from water hyacinth and used them to fabricate nanopapers. Transparent nanocomposites were subsequently developed by immersing the CNF-derived nanopapers in acrylic resins. These nanocomposites exhibited promising mechanical properties and optical transparency. Compared with neat acrylic films, the nanocomposites exhibited a 13.5-fold improved tensile strength, an 80-fold increased Young’s modulus, and similar tensile strain. These considerably increased mechanical properties were attributed to strong interfacial bonding between the acrylic resin and CNF nanopaper, estimated by the rule of mixtures. Moreover, the CNF nanopaper significantly decreased the coefficient of thermal expansion of the acrylic resin from 192.3 to 16.3 ppm K−1, which is comparable to that of borosilicate glass. The outstanding properties of these nanocomposites render them suitable for applications in flexible optoelectronic devices, such as organic light – emitting diode displays and solar cells.