Tuning the porosity, water interaction and redispersion of nanocellulose hydrogels by osmotic dehydration

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.