A Comparison of Microcellulose and Nanocellulose as A Matrix Polymer Reinforcement Agent: A Meta-analysis

Abstract

Both of nanocellulose and microcellulose performed a better matrix polymer property when applied as a reinforced agent. Both of them has advantages and disadvantages respectively. Through a meta-analysis of 47 literature sources and 635 treatments, their reinforcement properties were examined. Significant distinctions were found between microcellulose and nanocellulose in total crystallinity index (p<0.001), hydrogen bound index (p<0.025), lateral order index (p=0.008), temperature onset (p=0.005), tensile modulus (p=0.004), and elongation at break (p<0.001). However, no significant differences were detected in temperature at maximum degradation (p=0.281), tensile strength (p=0.215), and water vapor permeability (p=0.174). The graphical analysis revealed that the most commonly used concentrations were 2.5% for nanocellulose and 3.2% for microcellulose. However, laboratory validation uncovered biases, with significant differences observed in tensile strength (p=0.038) and tensile modulus (p=0.008), while elongation showed no significant difference (p=0.997). Publication bias was observed through the Egger's regression test and Begg's correlation test, while no bias was found using the Rosenberg's fail-safe N test.