Tuning the porosity, water interaction and redispersion of nanocellulose hydrogels

Abstract: Cellulose nanofibre hydrogels are produced by osmotic dehydration. We analyse the evolution of their hierarchical porosity in wet state depending on solid content (0.7‐12 wt%). We measure water physical characteristics, mechanical properties, ion‐conductivity and redispersion. This method is straight forward, reproducible, does not require heat or vacuum, and minimizes nanofibrillar aggregation.