Highly Water-Tolerant TEMPO-Oxidized Cellulose Nanofiber Films Using a Maleic Anhydride/Wax Copolymer

Abstract

In this article, a highly water-durable film based on (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)oxyl (TEMPO)-oxidized cellulose nanofibers (TCNFs) was prepared through a facile process using maleic anhydride/wax copolymer (MAW)/limonene solution. In the last few decades, the expansion of thermoplastic consumption has induced serious environmental issues like soil and marine pollutants and energy resource depletion. As a replacement of existing resins, the TCNF film is one of the most promising materials because it has high mechanical properties along with lightweight, good chemical and thermal stabilities under dry conditions, and cellulose as a starting material, which is the most abundant organic polymer on earth . However, the TCNF film under humid conditions shows low mechanical strength, which is not enough to use it as a commodity item. To improve the water durability of TCNF, we attempted to develop a surface modification technique with MAW/limonene solution. By immersing in MAW/limonene solution, the water contact angle of TCNF was increased from 65°to 80°; also, its water swelling ratio was decreased from ∼6000% to 60%. Moreover, MAW-modified TCNF (M-TCNF) showed high mechanical strength (elastic modulus ∼1.8 GPa and tensile strength ∼52 MPa) in a swollen state. These results demonstrate the improvement in the water durability of the TCNF surface-modified with MAW. This contribution can help to expand the application of TCNF to various fields such as food packaging, water purification, and so on.

Large-Scale Manufacture of Recyclable Bioplastics from Renewable Cellulosic Biomass Derived from Softwood Kraft Pulp

“…More specifically, two main categories to produce cellulose-based bioplastic were included: (1) embedding CNF or CNC as additives into polymer matrixes to reinforce the mechanical and thermal properties of composite materials. , However, the poor interfacial compatibility between hydrophilic cellulose and the hydrophobic polymer matrix can easily lead to a nonuniform structure and fluctuating performance. − (2) Directly fabricating the nanocellulose-based films through solution casting, vacuum filtration, spray coating, and so forth. Nevertheless, the strong affinity of nanocellulose to water molecules may cause low efficiency in the dewatering and drying process and insufficient mechanical properties under a humid environment. , It generally takes hours or more to fabricate a nanocellulose-based film, which is time-consuming and high-cost in practical application. − …”

“…Nevertheless, the strong affinity of nanocellulose to water molecules may cause low efficiency in the dewatering and drying process and insufficient mechanical properties under a humid environment. 21,22 It generally takes hours or more to fabricate a nanocellulose-based film, which is time-consuming and high-cost in practical application. 23−25 In addition to the above nanoscale cellulose, researchers also prepared lots of molecular cellulose, such as sodium carboxyl methyl cellulose (CMC) 26,27 and hydroxyethyl cellulose.…”

Cellulose nanofiber reinforced starch film with rapid disintegration in marine environments

“…Many polymers, such as poly(acrylamide) (PAM), poly(vinylamine) (PVA), maleic anhydride copolymer, poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI), PVA, PLA, PHB, and PCL are added to cellulose and starch to improve their mechanical properties and wet durability. [13][14][15][16][17][18] The optimum incorporation percentage and arrangement of cellulose nanocrystals have shown promising micro-hardness results, aiming for quality improvement and cost reduction. [19][20][21][22] The addition of 4% cellulose nanocrystals to polymer matrix lead to the optimum tensile and fatigue properties.…”