A feasible strategy for making pulp cellulose antibacterial and melt processable

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Cellulose is an abundant, eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-based polymers.
• Native cellulose presents challenges in thermal processing and lacks inherent antibacterial properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a melt-processable cellulose material with long-lasting antibacterial functionality.
• To enhance the mechanical properties and toughness of the modified cellulose through blending.

Main Methods:

• Sequential oxidation, amination, and quaternary ammonium cationic functionalization of pulp cellulose.
• Melt processing of the functionalized cellulose (PC-HOD-E) and its composite with poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT).
• Evaluation of thermal properties, mechanical performance, antibacterial activity, and biodegradability.

Main Results:

• PC-HOD-E demonstrated melt processability starting at 121.1°C.
• The neat material showed high stiffness but low elongation at break (0.98%).
• Blending with PBAT (1:9 ratio) significantly improved elongation at break (795.29%) and tensile strength (18.53 MPa).
• Both PC-HOD-E and its PBAT composite exhibited sustained antibacterial activity and excellent biodegradability (61.67% mass loss in 60 days).

Conclusions:

• The developed functionalized cellulose (PC-HOD-E) is melt-processable and possesses durable antibacterial properties.
• Composite formation with PBAT effectively addresses the brittleness of modified cellulose, yielding tough and flexible materials.
• This research presents a viable pathway for creating high-performance, biodegradable cellulose-based plastics as sustainable alternatives to conventional petroleum-based plastics.