A Facile Pathway to Modify Cellulose Composite Film by Reducing Wettability and Improving Barrier towards Moisture

Xiaorong Hu,Zhaocheng Ma,Shilin Liu,Dandan Tao,Lin Chen

doi:10.3390/ma10010039

Abstract

The hydrophilic property of cellulose is a key limiting factor for its wide application. Here, a novel solution impregnation pathway was developed to increase the hydrophobic properties of cellulose. When compared with the regenerated cellulose (RC), the composite films showed a decrease in water uptake ability towards water vapor, and an increase of the water contact angle from 29° to 65° with increasing resin content in the composites, with only a slight change in the transmittance. Furthermore, the Young’s modulus value increased from 3.2 GPa (RC film) to 5.1 GPa (RCBEA50 film). The results indicated that the composites had combined the advantages of cellulose and biphenyl A epoxy acrylate prepolymer (BEA) resin. The presented method has great potential for the preparation of biocomposites with improved properties. The overall results suggest that composite films can be used as high-performance packaging materials.

Highlights

IntroductionA unique biopolymer, is a raw material that is renewable and almost inexhaustible
To address increasing concerns over the depletion of non-renewable fossil resources, bio-based composites are being modified in various ways to extend their usage to different industries [1,2].Cellulose, a unique biopolymer, is a raw material that is renewable and almost inexhaustible
Cellulose-based composite films were prepared via dipping biphenyl A epoxy acrylate prepolymer (BEA) prepolymers into cellulose matrix and by UV exposure

Summary

Introduction

A unique biopolymer, is a raw material that is renewable and almost inexhaustible. Cellulose has attracted the attention of researchers all over the world, which will greatly benefit economics and the environment. Cellulose is difficult to process by the thermal or dissolution method due to its strong hydrogen bonding interaction. Many efforts have been made to consolidate cellulose into plastic matrixes [3,4,5]. It was well known that the properties of cellulose materials were sensitive to humid conditions, and the hydrogen bonding interactions could be destroyed, which results in a significant expansion of the amorphous regions and an increase of the chain segmental motion, leading to a significant decrease in the mechanical performance [6,7]. In the last few decades, cellophane, a conventional polymer, has been tarnished as a result of its high costs in production and environmental pollution (CS2 and H2 S) in manufacture and post-treatment [8]

Methods

Results

Conclusion