Bioinspired Paper-Based Nanocomposites Enabled by Biowax–Mineral Hybrids and Proteins

Abstract

Paper-based products are similar to paper wasps' nests built by biofiber separation and biofiber reassembly, where they add saliva for structural reinforcement and waterproofing. Rice leaves, which contain lignocellulosic components and look like paper sheets, have functional epidermises for directional self-cleaning and defensive barriers. We herein report a bioinspired concept of forming functional nanocomposites from environmentally friendly additives and cellulosic paper. Beeswax−silica hybrids mimic rice leaves' mineralized biowaxy epidermises. Gelatin, which is chemically similar to protein-containing saliva of paper wasps, acts as a functional additive to facilitate anchorage of hybrids to paper and to consolidate/waterproof the composite structures. Thermal annealing reorganizes as-formed composites and induces the formation of transparent coatings. As expected, the consolidated nanocomposites show self-cleaning superhydrophobicity. The processes of spraying biowax−mineral hybrid dispersion onto gelatin-deposited substrate followed by thermal annealing are integrable into unit operations of paper production as surface sizing or coating. Other features of the strategy would involve antibacterial properties and fruits/vegetables preservation. This simple, bioinspired strategy would direct sustainable paper-based products toward diversified applications: food/drinks containers or packaging materials that can reduce or eliminate liquid wastes, preservation of historic/ artistic works, scientific demonstrations relevant to surface engineering and bionics, and children-related safe products, among others.

Bioinspired Janus All-Natural Electrospinning Membranes with Directional Water Transport as Ecofriendly Dry Facial Masks

“…On the whole, the dry J-AFM with cellulose nonwoven substrate together with paper-based packaging can be considered a kind of recyclable bioinspired paper-based product. The research and applications of this kind of material are extensive and comprehensive, from sensors to multifunction paper to clean water generation. − The dry J-AFM will introduce a new application to this research field. Compared with other environment-friendly nonwoven functional membrane materials, , the dry J-AFM prepared by a green electrospinning method is simpler and energy-saving in terms of the preparation process.…”

When mimetics meets chitosan

“…Mimetics can help us to understand the world, fostering the advancement of different scientific disciplines: formal sciences, natural sciences, and social sciences. As an example, biomimetics can be used as guiding principles for designing paper products with tailorable functionalities (Liu et al 2005;Wan et al 2020). The bottom line is that learning from "others" can benefit "someone" or "something".…”

Robust, Flexible, and High-Barrier Films from Bacterial Cellulose Modified by Long-Chain Alkenyl Succinic Anhydrides

“…Physical strategies could be used to modify BC, such as incorporating or applying a layer of bio-based hydrophobic agents (e.g., waxes or fatty acids) to increase the water stability of the cellulose-based film. , However, this approach would lead to some of the film’s problems, namely, its poor compatibility, color change, increased roughness, decreased transparency, and mechanical strength or barrier properties, especially when attempting to prepare thin and transparent/translucent films. By comparison, modifying BC via chemical strategies (e.g., esterification, etherification, silylation, or crosslinking) presents a more feasible method to obtain thin films of higher quality. , In the current study, surface esterification of pre-made BC films was performed via esterification.…”