Enhanced properties of cellulose-based packaging
Researchers have presenged a novel approach to enhancing barrier and mechanical properties of cellulose-based packaging.
The broader application of cellulose-based packaging has been restricted by its inherent limitations in mechanical and barrier properties, despite the advantages of biodegradability and renewability. In a new study, a cellulose-based composite packaging material was developed through the incorporation of an ultra-thin layer of silane-modified regenerated cellulose coating, which was reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), onto a cellulose-based substrate. The composites, incorporating an ultra-thin coating, weighing just 0.4 g/m2, demonstrated notable enhancements in hydrophobicity, gas barrier properties, and mechanical characteristics compared to the untreated cellulose-based materials.
Potential applications in functional packaging
The water contact angle of the composites reached up to 110.4°, indicating a significant shift towards hydrophobic surfaces. Notably, the dry tensile index increased by 74.4 %, the wet tensile rose by a factor of 17.8, the burst index improved by 32.5 %, and the internal bond strength was enhanced by 94.3 %. As the researchers point out, the composites developed in this study demonstrate excellent barrier and mechanical properties, thereby expanding their potential applications in functional packaging.
The study has been published in Progress in Organic Coatings, Volume 200, March 2025.
Reading tip:
Learn more about current approaches to produce coatings in a more environmentally friendly way and to give coated products a longer service life in the EC Tech Report Sustainability. In addition, its handpicked content dives deeply into the European Green Deal, its key points and main purpose as well as consequences for the coatings industry.
