Fabrication of biodegradable materials with antibacterial and high-strength properties from wheat straw fibers

Abstract

The mechanical strength of paper made from wheat straw fiber, which is derived from agricultural residues and is abundant and biodegradable, is often limited, thus constraining its practical applications. Cationic microfibrillated cellulose (CMFC), produced from enzyme-treated hardwood dissolving pulp, exhibits great potential as an enhancer and carrier material. In this study, a CMFC/triclosan (TCS) compound was prepared to enhance the antibacterial performance and mechanical strength properties of hand-sheets composed of unbleached wheat straw fiber. The results demonstrated that TCS could be effectively adsorbed by CMFC, forming a stable CMFC/TCS compound. The incorporation of CMFC contributed to improved uniform dispersion and retention of TCS within the network structure of the wheat straw fiber-based hand-sheets. Specifically, the retention rate of TCS in the hand-sheets increased from 48.76 % to 93.4 % with the formation of CMFC/TCS compound, consequently enhancing the antibacterial performance of the hand-sheets. Additionally, the inclusion of CMFC/TCS compound substantially improved the mechanical strength properties of the wheat straw fiber-based hand-sheets. Overall, this study presents a facile and practical approach to enhance the antibacterial performance and mechanical strength properties of materials derived from wheat straw fiber.