Bioactive Fiber Foam Films from Cellulose and Willow Bark Extract with Improved Water Tolerance

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Sustainable Packaging

Background:

• Cellulose-based materials are sought as sustainable alternatives in packaging.
• Their inherent hydrophilicity limits use in moisture-sensitive applications.
• Developing water-tolerant cellulose materials is crucial for broader adoption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create lightweight, all-cellulose fiber foam films with enhanced water tolerance.
• To investigate the effects of willow bark extract (WBE) and alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) modification.
• To explore additional functionalities like antioxidant and UV protection.

Main Methods:

• Production of all-cellulose fiber foam films.
• Modification of foams using willow bark extract (WBE) and alkyl ketene dimer (AKD).
• Evaluation of water tolerance, dry strength, and functional properties.
• Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to analyze interactions.

Main Results:

• AKD improved water stability; WBE enhanced dry strength and added antioxidant/UV properties.
• WBE and AKD exhibited a synergistic effect, boosting hydrophobicity and water tolerance.
• NMR confirmed physical interactions between WBE, cellulose, and AKD, without covalent bonding.

Conclusions:

• Modified cellulose fiber foams offer improved water resistance and added functionalities.
• The synergistic effect of WBE and AKD enhances material performance.
• These findings enable high-value applications in active packaging and water-resistant coatings.