Subsequently,
the NFC hydrogel was subjected to a blade coating procedure. The application
was performed over a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate, chosen
for its hydrophobic characteristics, which made it easier to remove
the dried film afterward. The hydrogel was applied by using the roll-to-roll
compatible blade coating technique, resulting in a homogeneous layer.
The blade coating conditions were optimized to yield dried NFC films
with an average thickness of 22 ± 2 μm and 800 ± 150
nm, respectively. This was achieved due to the hydrogel’s high
viscosity and excellent wetting properties, preventing any shrinking.
The coating procedure was devoid of any prerequisite preparation of
the PET surface, hence, streamlining the coating fabrication and making
it more suitable for a potential industrial manufacturing process.
The presence of hydrogen bonding within NFC fibers had a diverse impact
on many properties, such as surface tension, wetting behavior, capillary
resistance, and viscosity control. This, in turn, resulted in the
creation of thin films that were smooth and of superior quality.
the NFC hydrogel was subjected to a blade coating procedure. The application
was performed over a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate, chosen
for its hydrophobic characteristics, which made it easier to remove
the dried film afterward. The hydrogel was applied by using the roll-to-roll
compatible blade coating technique, resulting in a homogeneous layer.
The blade coating conditions were optimized to yield dried NFC films
with an average thickness of 22 ± 2 μm and 800 ± 150
nm, respectively. This was achieved due to the hydrogel’s high
viscosity and excellent wetting properties, preventing any shrinking.
The coating procedure was devoid of any prerequisite preparation of
the PET surface, hence, streamlining the coating fabrication and making
it more suitable for a potential industrial manufacturing process.
The presence of hydrogen bonding within NFC fibers had a diverse impact
on many properties, such as surface tension, wetting behavior, capillary
resistance, and viscosity control. This, in turn, resulted in the
creation of thin films that were smooth and of superior quality.
