Cellulose-based materials offer a promising alternative
to non-biodegradable
plastics in packaging applications due to their biodegradability and
abundance. However, the fabrication of cellulose-based materials with
a facile method and high barrier properties remains an ongoing challenge.
To solve this problem, two-dimensional (2D) platelets with large specific
surface areas are employed to improve the barrier properties. Herein,
an alternate hierarchical structure was constructed by incorporating
talc platelets into a cellulose nanofibril (CNF) matrix through a
one-step vacuum filtration process. The fabricated CNF–talc
composite films showed significantly improved oxygen and water vapor
barrier properties in the preservation test. This composite film also
possessed excellent UV blocking with high thermal stability, which
meets the requirements of various outdoor applications. More importantly,
the prepared CNF-based films had excellent biodegradability compared
with conventional plastic films. This ecofriendly and cost-efficient
fabrication method of CNF–talc films, in which inorganic nanosheets
and organic layers are alternately intercalated, can further inspire
the design and development of packaging materials with high barrier
properties.