Abstract
The significant challenges in the use of cellulose as a replacement for plastic are its mechanical properties’ degradation and uncontrolled deformation during the rewetting process. Herein, inspired by the reinforcement of cellulose by lignin in natural plant tissue, a strong and water-stable lignin–cellulose composite (LCC) was developed. A nanocellulose hybrid lignin complex (CHLC) created from bagasse residue after enzymatic hydrolysis was added into a pulp of bleached fibre extracted from pine to produce a lignin–cellulose sheet. The lignin as a water-stable reinforcing matrix, via the hydrogen bonding of the nanocellulose in the CHLC with the fibre was efficiently introduced onto the fibres and the fibre network voids. Compared with a typical lignin-free cellulose sheet, the dry strength and wet strength of the LCC were 218% and 2233% higher, respectively. The developed LCC is an eco-friendly and biodegradable alternative to plastic.
Highlights
Plastics have the advantage of being light and cheap, but they are not degraded by microorganisms [1]
The residue remaining after the enzymatic hydrolysis of pretreated bagasse was composed of 23% lignin, 34% cellulose, and 12% hemicellulose (Table S1)
1066 cm−1 (C–O, C–C stretching vibrations)), hemicellulose [48] (at 1737 and 1247 cm−1), and lignin [49] (at 823, 1273 (C-O stretching vibration of guaiacyl), and 1637 cm−1 (C=O conjugated stretching)). This indicates that the basic structural framework of the lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose matrix was still present in the residue, which is consistent with the chemical composition analysis
Summary
Plastics have the advantage of being light and cheap, but they are not degraded by microorganisms [1]. Cellulose is the most abundant biopolymer on earth, and it is a green and sustainable material that is biodegradable, derivable, renewable, and biocompatible [4,5,6]. It can be produced in large quantities from natural plants through various pulping technologies. With its excellent properties of being low density, having a low thermal expansion coefficient, high strength, high stiffness, and easy deformation, cellulose has the potential to surpass the performance of fossil-based materials in many aspects, showing great potential for replacing plastic [7,8]. The use of the cellulose fibre sheet as a replacement for plastic still faces some major challenges, including:
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