Synthesis of Water-Dispersible Poly(dimethylsiloxane) and Its Potential Application in the Paper Coating Industry as an Alternative for PFAS-Coated Paper and Single-Use Plastics

Syeda Shamila Hamdani; Hazem M Elkholy; Alexandra Alford; Kang Jackson; Muhammad Naveed; Ian Wyman; Yun Wang; Kecheng Li; Syed W Haider; Muhammad Rabnawaz

doi:10.3390/polym16071006

Synthesis of Water-Dispersible Poly(dimethylsiloxane) and Its Potential Application in the Paper Coating Industry as an Alternative for PFAS-Coated Paper and Single-Use Plastics

Polymers (Basel). 2024 Apr 7;16(7):1006. doi: 10.3390/polym16071006.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ School of Packaging, Michigan State University, 448 Wilson Road, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
² Department of Chemical and Paper Engineering, Western Michigan University, 1903 W, Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49008, USA.
³ Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.

Abstract

Polyethylene-, polyvinylidene chloride-, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance-coated paper generate microplastics or fluorochemicals in the environment. Here, we report an approach for the development of oil-resistant papers using an environmentally friendly, fluorine-free, water-dispersible poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) coating on kraft paper. Carboxylic-functionalized PDMS (PDMS-COOH) was synthesized and subsequently neutralized with ammonium bicarbonate to obtain a waterborne emulsion, which was then coated onto kraft paper. The water resistance of the coated paper was determined via Cobb60 measurements. The Cobb60 value was reduced to 2.70 ± 0.14 g/m² as compared to 87.6 ± 5.1 g/m² for uncoated paper, suggesting a remarkable improvement in water resistance. Similarly, oil resistance was found to be 12/12 on the kit test scale versus 0/12 for uncoated paper. In addition, the coated paper retained 70-90% of its inherent mechanical properties, and more importantly, the coated paper was recycled via pulp recovery using a standard protocol with a 91.1% yield.

Keywords: PFAS alternatives; biodegradable; oil-resistant; pulp recovery; water-resistant; waterborne coatings.

Grants and funding

This publication was partly developed under Assistance Agreement No. SU83983001 awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to Michigan State University and partly developed under the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Award Number: 2044877 to Michigan State University. It has not been formally reviewed by the EPA or NSF. The views expressed in this document are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Agency. The EPA and NSF do not endorse any products or commercial services mentioned in this publication.