Preparing Hydrophobic Cellulose Nanofibers-SiO₂ Films and Coating by One-Step Mechanochemical Method

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Green Chemistry

Background:

• Cellulose-based hydrophobic coatings are gaining attention for sustainable applications.
• One-step preparation methods for these coatings are scarce.
• Developing efficient dispersion techniques for nanoparticles within cellulose matrices is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a facile one-step method for preparing superhydrophobic cellulose-based coatings.
• To investigate the efficacy of ball milling for dispersing silica nanoparticles and modified nanocellulose.
• To evaluate the hydrophobic properties and stability of the resulting nanocomposite coatings.

Main Methods:

• One-step ball milling of hydrophobic SiO2 nanoparticles and cellulose nanofiber modified with 3,4-dichlorophenyl isocyanate.
• Preparation of composite coatings and films using the ball-milled nanocomposite.
• Characterization of water contact angle and moisture absorption of the coatings.

Main Results:

• Ball milling effectively dispersed SiO2 nanoparticles and prepared modified nanocellulose.
• The composite coating achieved a high water contact angle of 158.0° and low moisture absorption.
• Paper surfaces coated with the nanocomposite exhibited super-hydrophobicity with a water contact angle of 155.8°.
• The ball milling method resulted in more stable hydrophobic properties compared to ultrasonic dispersion.

Conclusions:

• A facile one-step ball milling method was established for producing superhydrophobic cellulose/SiO2 nanocomposite coatings.
• This method offers an effective way to disperse nanoparticles and construct robust superhydrophobic surfaces.
• The developed coatings demonstrate potential for various applications requiring water repellency and sustainability.