Effect of modified cellulose nanocrystals on microstructural and mechanical properties of polyvinyl alcohol/ovalbumin biocomposite scaffolds

In order to improve the functional compatibility and mechanical performance of biocomposite scaffolds, two different biocomposite scaffolds based on ovalbumin (OVA)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) reinforced with unmodified and aminated cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) cross-linked with glutaraldehyde (GA) were fabricated by a freeze drying process. It was observed that the microstructure and mechanical properties of the biocomposite scaffolds were not affected to a great extent by the presence of aminated CNCs. At a compressive strain of 70%, the compressive strengths of PVA/OVA (porosity: ~85%) (a), PVA–CNCs/OVA (porosity: ~87.4%) (b), and PVA–CNCs–NH2/OVA (porosity: ~87.7%) (c) were 0.08MPa, 0.21MPa and 0.26MPa, respectively. •Porous PVA–CNCs/OVA and PVA–CNCs–NH2/OVA scaffolds were fabricated by the freeze drying process.•The effect of unmodified and aminated CNCs on scaffolds was investigated.•Highly porous scaffolds having good pore-interconnectivity were produced.•Similar compressive strengths (0.21MPa and 0.26MPa) were observed.