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Structurally engineered cellulose-based mulch film with enhanced hydrophobicity and strength for green agriculture
Summary
This paper develops a cellulose-based mulch film coated with starch and a silane compound to mimic the strength and water resistance of conventional plastic agricultural film, achieving a water contact angle of 128 degrees (up from 16 degrees for untreated cellulose) and complete biodegradation in soil within 56 days. Unlike polyethylene mulch films that fragment into persistent microplastics in farmland, this material decomposes within a crop growing cycle, offering a practical biodegradable alternative for agriculture.
Conventional low-density polyethylene (LDPE) mulch films have caused serious white pollution, driving the need for sustainable alternatives. Biodegradable cellulose paper mulch has shown great potential, yet its practical use remains limited by excessive water absorption and poor mechanical strength. To overcome these drawbacks, a sandwich-like multilayer structure was innovatively constructed by successively coating cationic starch (S) and 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTES) onto cellulose substrates, followed by glyoxal-mediated cross-linking (CSGA). CS acted as an interfacial adhesive via hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interaction, while APTES introduced hydrophobic silane moieties through Schiff base and acetal linkages. Compared to pristine cellulose paper, the resultant composite film (CSGA) exhibited a significant improvement in dry tensile strength (26.8 MPa) and wet tensile strength (5.2 MPa), with a water contact angle increased from 16° to 128°, and a reduced swelling ratio from 123 % to 62 %. Additionally, the seed germination rate under CSGA was 82 %, comparable to that of commercial LDPE mulch. The CSGA film also demonstrated complete biodegradability within 56 days in natural soil, aligning with crop growth cycles. This work presents a facile and scalable approach for fabricating high-performance biodegradable mulch films, offering a promising solution for microplastics pollution.