Lignin and Xylan as Interface Engineering Additives for Improved Environmental Durability of Sustainable Cellulose Nanopapers

International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2021
Sergejs Beļuns, Oskars Platnieks, Sergejs Gaidukovs, Oļesja Starkova, Aļisa Šabaļina, Līga Orlova, Vijay Kumar Thakur, Gerda Gaidukova

Cellulose materials and products are frequently affected by environmental factors such as light, temperature, and humidity. Simulated UV irradiation, heat, and moisture exposure were comprehensively used to characterize changes in cellulose nanopaper (NP) tensile properties. For the preparation of NP, high‐purity cellulose from old, unused filter paper waste was used. Lignin and xylan were used as sustainable green interface engineering modifiers for NP due to their structural compatibility, low price, nontoxic nature, and abundance as a by‐product of biomass processing, as well as their ability to protect cellulose fibers from UV irradiation. Nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) suspension was obtained by microfluidizing cellulose suspension, and NP was produced by casting films from water suspensions. The use of filler from 1 to 30 wt % significantly altered NP properties. All nanopapers were tested for their sensitivity to water humidity, which reduced mechanical properties from 10 to 40% depending on the saturation level. Xylan addition showed a significant increase in the specific elastic modulus and specific strength by 1.4‐ and 2.8‐ fold, respectively. Xylan‐containing NPs had remarkable resistance to UV irradiation, retaining 50 to 90% of their initial properties. Lignin‐modified NPs resulted in a decreased mechanical performance due to the particle structure of the filler and the agglomeration process, but it was compensated by good property retention and enhanced elongation. The UV oxidation process of the NP interface was studied with UV‐Vis and FTIR spectroscopy, which showed that the degradation of lignin and xylan preserves a cellulose fiber structure. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed the structural formation of the interface and supplemented understanding of UV aging impact on the surface and penetration depth in the cross‐section. The ability to overcome premature aging in environmental factors can significantly benefit the wide adaption of NP in food packaging and functional applications.

Atslēgas vārdi
Food packaging | Functional material | Mechanical properties | Moisture absorption | Photodegradation | Sustainable
DOI
10.3390/ijms222312939
Hipersaite
https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/23/12939

Beļuns, S., Platnieks, O., Gaidukovs, S., Starkova, O., Šabaļina, A., Grase, L., Kumar Thakur, V., Gaidukova, G. Lignin and Xylan as Interface Engineering Additives for Improved Environmental Durability of Sustainable Cellulose Nanopapers. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2021, Vol. 22, No. 23, Article number 12939. ISSN 1422-0067. Pieejams: doi:10.3390/ijms222312939

Publikācijas valoda
English (en)