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Updated: Jul 29, 2025

Author Spotlight: An Antimicrobial Fabric Using Nano-Herbal Encapsulation of Essential Oils
Published on: April 7, 2023
Functionalized cellulose nanofibrils based supramolecular system-assisted molding enabled strong, antibacterial
Shicun Jin1, Lihong Xiong1, Jieping Xing1
1Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources and International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China.
Abstract:
Bioplastics are considered as potential alternatives to non-renewable and non-biodegradable petroleum-based plastics. Inspired by ionic and amphiphilic properties of mussel protein, we proposed a versatile and facile strategy for the fabrication of a high-performance chitosan (CS) composite film. This technique incorporates a cationic hyperbranched polyamide (QHB) and a supramolecular system based on the lignosulphonate (LS)-functionalized cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) (LS@CNF) hybrids. The cationic QHB was synthesized by a one-step process from hyperbranched polyamide and quaternary ammonium salt. Meanwhile, the functional LS@CNF hybrids act as a well-dispersed and rigid cross-linked domain in CS matrix. Owing to the interconnected hyperbranched and enhanced supramolecular network, the toughness and tensile strength of the CS/QHB/LS@CNF film simultaneously increased to 19.1 MJ/m3 and 50.4 MPa, 170.2 % and 72.6 % higher than the pristine CS film. Additionally, the functional QHB/LS@CNF hybrids endow the films with superior antibacterial activity, water resistance, UV shielding, and thermal stability. This bioinspired strategy provides a novel and sustainable method for the production of multifunctional CS films.

