Application of cellulose nanocrystals as a functional filler in conductive gel adhesives

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

3M Canada has been providing science-based products ranging from healthcare and highway safety to officeproducts and adhesives for over 60 years. They are headquartered in London, ON with research, sales andmanufacturing facilities across Canada. 3M Canada would like to incorporate cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) asa functional filler into their existing conductive gel adhesives used in bioelectrodes. CNCs are non-toxic, rigidrod shaped particles extracted from wood pulp that possess favourable properties to act as stabilizers,thickeners, templates and reinforcing agents. Conductive gel adhesives, such as in 3M Red Dot monitoringelectrode products, are used routinely in hospitals to monitor electrocardiographic function and to provideinformation in support of diagnosis; consistent performance is essential. Adding CNCs to 3M gel adhesives isanticipated to improve water retention to enhance adhesive and mechanical performance at low humidity. Ourpreliminary studies have shown that adding CNCs to hydrogels significantly increases their mechanicalstrength, functionality and water-uptake abilities.The challenge is to increase the moisture retention (and thus the performance lifetime and reproducibility) ofconductive gel adhesives without negatively affecting other gel properties such as electrochemistry,adhesiveness, strength, and elasticity. We will produce and characterize functionalized CNCs and measure thehybrid gel properties as a function of CNC loading and type, including: water retention/swelling, rheology,transparency, adhesive/mechanical testing. We will work with 3M Canada's R&D Centre for application testingand prototyping to ensure the formulations developed are industrially relevant. This research will establish themain benefits of adding CNCs to 3M's gel adhesives and the IP developed will be exploited in Canada. We arecommitted to helping Canada's Forestry sector and this work will be economically significant for Canada byensuring that we remain at the forefront of CNC discoveries and develop new materials that will lead to jobcreation in Canada.