Turning Recycled Cardboard Container-Derived Lignin-Containing Cellulose Nanofibrils into a Robust Gas Barrier UV-Shielding Film

Abstract

Self-standing cellulose nanofibril (CNF) films are regarded as one of the promising alternatives to current petroleum-based packaging materials mostly due to their ability to form dense self-assembled structures exhibiting high gas barrier properties. Nonetheless, one of the major obstacles to the commercialization of these materials in packaging applications is the high cost of raw materials and production energy. In this study, we created self-standing films of lignin-containing cellulose nanofibrils (LCNFs) derived from a recycled old corrugated cardboard (OCC) pulp that costs less than bleached softwood Kraft (BSK) pulp and requires half as much energy for refining to obtain the same quality of material. The low zeta potential (−3.83 mV) of OCC-derived LCNFs (OCC-LCNFs) resulted in aggregation of the fibrils in aqueous suspension, leading to considerable unpredictability in oxygen permeability (OP) values (coefficient of variation 36%). The addition of 3 wt % (based on the dry weight of LCNFs) carboxymethyl cellulose lowered the coefficient of variation to 16% with an average OP of 1478 (cc.μm/m2.atm.day) at 80% relative humidity. Because the OP was higher than that of the CNF film made from BSK-derived CNF (BSK-CNFs), we demonstrated that ionic crosslinking with trivalent aluminum ion or covalent crosslinking with polyamide epichlorohydrin decreased the OP by 30% at 23 °C and 80% relative humidity while also significantly enhancing the tensile strength and modulus. In addition, the presence of lignin in OCC resulted in a relatively lower water vapor permeability value in OCC-LCNF films compared to BSK-CNF films. Moreover, OCC-LCNF films showed complete UV-shielding (200–400 nm) property. Overall, this work provides a new opportunity to exploit a recycled and inexpensive source of CNFs to produce robust gas barrier materials for packaging applications.

Lignin-containing biodegradable UV-blocking films: a review

“…Additionally, self-standing films made from LCNFs obtained from recycled corrugated cardboard pulp have been shown in experiments to be able to achieve 100% UV-blocking properties. 73 What's more, it was reported that the LCNFs extracted from mechanical pulp have a high lignin content of 26.8% to 38.5%, and the resulting LCNF films exhibit high transparency and strong UV-blocking properties (Fig. 2a).…”

Strong and Flame-Resistant Nanocellulose Sheets Derived from Agrowastes via a Papermaking-Assisted Process

“…15 This attention is primarily due to their capacity to create densely self-assembled structures when dried, owing to robust capillary forces, hydrogen bonding, and London dispersion forces. 5,7 This unique quality results in impressive gas barrier properties and mechanical strength. 7 Moreover, CNFs are typically generated through high-shear mechanical disintegration methods involving highpressure homogenizers, grinders, or microfluidizers.…”

“…Being the most prevalent natural biopolymer featuring affordability, impressive sustainability, and exceptional biodegradability, , cellulose merits significant consideration. The utilization of this biopolymer as a chemical feedstock began only around 170 years ago with the discovery of the first cellulose derivative (cellulose nitrate) by Braconnot .…”

“…4,5 The surging enthusiasm for biobased polymers can be attributed to their impressive properties and performance, closely matching those typically associated with petroleum-based polymers. 6 Being the most prevalent natural biopolymer featuring affordability, impressive sustainability, and exceptional biodegradability, 7,8 cellulose merits significant consideration. The utilization of this biopolymer as a chemical feedstock began only around 170 years ago with the discovery of the first cellulose derivative (cellulose nitrate) by Braconnot.…”

“…5,7 This unique quality results in impressive gas barrier properties and mechanical strength. 7 Moreover, CNFs are typically generated through high-shear mechanical disintegration methods involving highpressure homogenizers, grinders, or microfluidizers. 14,15 To enhance disintegration efficiency and boost cellulose nanofibril yield, various pretreatment techniques, such as sulfation, carboxymethylation, TEMPO-mediated oxidation, enzymatic hydrolysis, and mechanical refining, are commonly applied.…”