Functionalized cellulose nanofibrils based supramolecular system-assisted molding enabled strong, antibacterial chitosan bioplastics

Shicun Jin; Lihong Xiong; Jieping Xing; Jianzhang Li; John Tosin Aladejana; Changtong Mei; Kuang Li; Huining Xiao

doi:10.1016/j.carbpol.2023.120979

Functionalized cellulose nanofibrils based supramolecular system-assisted molding enabled strong, antibacterial chitosan bioplastics

Carbohydr Polym. 2023 Sep 1:315:120979. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2023.120979. Epub 2023 May 4.

Authors

Shicun Jin¹, Lihong Xiong¹, Jieping Xing¹, Jianzhang Li², John Tosin Aladejana¹, Changtong Mei¹, Kuang Li³, Huining Xiao⁴

Affiliations

¹ Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources and International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China.
² Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources and International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Wooden Material Science and Application, Beijing Key Laboratory of Wood Science and Engineering, College of Materials Science and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China.
³ Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources and International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China. Electronic address: likuang@njfu.edu.cn.
⁴ Department of Chemical Engineering, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick E3B5A3, Canada. Electronic address: hxiao@unb.ca.

PMID: 37230637
DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2023.120979

Abstract

Bioplastics are considered as potential alternatives to non-renewable and non-biodegradable petroleum-based plastics. Inspired by ionic and amphiphilic properties of mussel protein, we proposed a versatile and facile strategy for the fabrication of a high-performance chitosan (CS) composite film. This technique incorporates a cationic hyperbranched polyamide (QHB) and a supramolecular system based on the lignosulphonate (LS)-functionalized cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) (LS@CNF) hybrids. The cationic QHB was synthesized by a one-step process from hyperbranched polyamide and quaternary ammonium salt. Meanwhile, the functional LS@CNF hybrids act as a well-dispersed and rigid cross-linked domain in CS matrix. Owing to the interconnected hyperbranched and enhanced supramolecular network, the toughness and tensile strength of the CS/QHB/LS@CNF film simultaneously increased to 19.1 MJ/m³ and 50.4 MPa, 170.2 % and 72.6 % higher than the pristine CS film. Additionally, the functional QHB/LS@CNF hybrids endow the films with superior antibacterial activity, water resistance, UV shielding, and thermal stability. This bioinspired strategy provides a novel and sustainable method for the production of multifunctional CS films.

Keywords: Antibacterial activity; Cationic hyperbranched polyamide; Cellulose nanofibrils; Chitosan; Supramolecular chemistry.

MeSH terms

Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
Cellulose
Chitosan*
Nanofibers*
Nylons

Substances

Cellulose
Chitosan
Nylons
Anti-Bacterial Agents