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Cellulose nanofiber reinforced starch film with pH- responsive weakening and marine-degradability
Summary
Researchers developed a starch film reinforced with oxidized cellulose nanofibers that weakens rapidly in seawater due to pH-responsive properties and is degraded by marine microbes. The material lost strength under marine conditions in a controlled and tunable way. This biodegradable alternative to conventional marine plastics could help reduce persistent plastic pollution in ocean environments.
Abstract Conventional marine-degradable plastics can remain in seawater for several years without losing their strength and stability, creating major environmental problems and threatening marine life. In this study, we prepared a cellulose nanofiber-reinforced starch film with pH-responsive weakening in seawater and marine-microbial degradability. The TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofiber (TCNF) was blended with hydroxypropyl starch (HPS) and di-aldehyde starch to develop a TCNF/modified starch film. pH-responsive swelling and weakening were performed in freshwater and seawater. Moreover, marine microbial degradability was evaluated in an artificial marine environment. TCNF/modified starch film rapidly loses up to 80 % of its strength in seawater and has higher marine microbial growth and degradability than TCNF film. The TCNF/HPS film demonstrates pH-responsive weakening with adequate microbial degradability. Therefore, it is a potential next-generation packaging material that can help address the problem of floating debris.
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