Multilayer surface construction for enhancing barrier properties of cellulose-based packaging

Wangxia Wang; Feng Gu; Zhifei Deng; Yang Zhu; Jing Zhu; Tianyu Guo; Junlong Song; Huining Xiao

doi:10.1016/j.carbpol.2020.117431

Multilayer surface construction for enhancing barrier properties of cellulose-based packaging

Carbohydr Polym. 2021 Mar 1:255:117431. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2020.117431. Epub 2020 Nov 24.

Authors

Wangxia Wang¹, Feng Gu², Zhifei Deng³, Yang Zhu⁴, Jing Zhu⁵, Tianyu Guo⁶, Junlong Song⁷, Huining Xiao⁸

Affiliations

¹ School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yancheng Institute of Technology, Yancheng, 224051, China; Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, College of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China; Department of Chemical Engineering, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick E3B5A3, Canada. Electronic address: wang.w.xia@163.com.
² School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yancheng Institute of Technology, Yancheng, 224051, China. Electronic address: gufeng8411@outlook.com.
³ School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yancheng Institute of Technology, Yancheng, 224051, China. Electronic address: 2270240235@qq.com.
⁴ School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yancheng Institute of Technology, Yancheng, 224051, China. Electronic address: 255726050@qq.com.
⁵ School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yancheng Institute of Technology, Yancheng, 224051, China. Electronic address: zhujing@ycit.cn.
⁶ Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, College of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China. Electronic address: gty@njfu.edu.cn.
⁷ Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, College of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China. Electronic address: junlong.song@njfu.edu.cn.
⁸ Department of Chemical Engineering, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick E3B5A3, Canada. Electronic address: hxiao@unb.ca.

PMID: 33436230
DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2020.117431

Abstract

It has been a consistent challenge to develop eco-friendly packaging in its entire life cycle with multiple barriers. Herein, a lignocellulose-derived strategy was developed for enhancing barrier properties of cellulose-based packaging. Porosity and hydrophilicity of paper packaging were remedied by the sequential deposition of oxalic acid modified microfibrillated cellulose (OMFC) and infiltration of nanosized alkaili lignin (NAL). OMFC deposition and NAL infiltration could fill the void among fibers and create hydrophobic micro/nano-roughness on paper surface, which showed synergetic effect on enhancing barrier and mechanical properties by self-bonding and crosslinking between cellulose and lignin. Water vapor transmission rate was reduced by 93 % with initial water contact angle at 113°. Besides, more than four-fold increase in tensile strength along with persisted water and grease resistance were achieved. The result suggests the barrier-enhanced packaging by multilayer surface construction has great potential in bio-based applications considering the biodegradability, biocompatibility, and recyclability.

Keywords: Cellulose; Eco-friendly packaging; Micro/nano-roughness; Multiple barriers.