We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Recovery of cellulose nanocrystal from mixed office wastepaper and the development of bio-based coating matrixes with enhanced water, gas, oil, and grease resistances for packaging
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers designed multifunctional reinforced bioplastics by integrating complementary additives to simultaneously improve mechanical strength, biodegradation rate, and functional properties, demonstrating that trade-offs between durability and end-of-life degradability can be overcome through synergistic material design.
This study on sustainable nanocellulose modifications for various packaging applications is driven by the global social awareness and growing demand for bioproducts to reduce the use of single-use plastics. Mixed office waste (MOW) was used as the raw material to extract cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) via the acid hydrolysis method. The average length and diameter of the CNCs were approximately 104.08 ± 0.1 nm and 9.49 ± 0.3 nm, respectively. The crystallinity index was 87%, as confirmed using transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. Coating solutions of varying concentrations were prepared by mixing CNCs with collagen hydrolysate and glycerin, and the coatings were applied to the surface of uncoated paper via a rod coating process. FTIR spectra confirmed the presence of CNCs in the coated paper. High-resolution FE-SEM images provided detailed information on the surface morphology of the coated papers. The barrier and mechanical performances of the coated paper were evaluated using the oil and grease resistance KIT, hot oil, water vapor permeability, air permeability, water contact angle, tensile index, burst index, percentage of elongation, and fold tests. All the coated paper samples passed the hot oil test and exhibited the highest KIT rating. The water vapor and air resistance values of the coated paper samples increased 14 times and 250 times, respectively, compared with the uncoated paper samples. The water contact angle of the coated paper samples increased to 99.40° from 60.13°, and the surface roughness decreased from 2.37 μm to 0.85 μm. The presence of coating also increased the tensile and burst indices by 5.28 times and 1.79 times, respectively, compared with the uncoated paper samples. No cytotoxic effects were found in the optimized coated paper, and all the samples were fully degraded within 49 days, as confirmed using the soil biodegradability test. Therefore, the coated paper can be a potential alternative to existing single-use plastics for packaging materials.
More Papers Like This
Development of Cellulose Nanofiber Based Nanopapers as Sustainable Alternatives to Plastic Derived Industrial Materials
AI summary Read the abstract
Cellulose nanofiber (CNF) nanopapers derived from renewable biomass were shown through numerical simulations to match the mechanical and barrier performance of synthetic polymer films while substantially reducing environmental footprint and eliminating microplastic shedding. This scalable platform positions biodegradable CNF materials as direct substitutes for petroleum-based plastics in packaging, filtration, and electronics applications, targeting microplastic pollution at the source.
The Influence of PLA and CMC Coatings on Mechanical and Physical Properties of Recycled Packaging Papers
AI summary Read the abstract
Coating recycled packaging paper with a combined PLA-CMC layer significantly improved mechanical strength and water resistance while FTIR confirmed chemical bonding within the cellulose matrix. This is relevant to microplastic pollution research because PLA-coated papers represent a biodegradable alternative to conventional plastic-coated packaging, reducing the long-term fragmentation of fossil-based polymer coatings into microplastics in landfill and aquatic environments.
Nanocellulose-based packaging materials: Unlocking a sustainable path beyond microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers review nanocellulose extracted from plant biomass as a sustainable packaging alternative to petroleum-based plastics, examining how its mechanical strength, tunable surface chemistry, and barrier properties can replace synthetic films and coatings while offering biodegradability and recyclability to reduce microplastic pollution from packaging waste.
Low-Quality Coffee Beans Used as a Novel Biomass Source of Cellulose Nanocrystals: Extraction and Application in Sustainable Packaging
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed bio-based methylcellulose films reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) extracted from low-quality coffee beans as a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based plastic food packaging. The extracted CNCs showed needle-like morphology (~221 nm length), 65.75% crystallinity, and good thermal stability, providing a promising path to reduce microplastic accumulation in food chains.
Barrier Performance of Spray Coated Cellulose Nanofiber–Montmorillonite (MMT) Composites
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed cellulose nanofiber coatings blended with clay minerals to create paper-based packaging with very low oxygen permeability. This biodegradable alternative to plastic packaging could help reduce plastic waste in food packaging applications.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.