Transparent cellulose films: Preparation, functionalization, and applications in food packaging

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Green Chemistry
• Food Science

Background:

• The food packaging industry seeks sustainable, low-carbon solutions to combat white pollution and improve food safety.
• Transparent cellulose films are crucial for developing high-performance, eco-friendly packaging materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review preparation strategies for transparent cellulose films.
• To analyze regulatory mechanisms influencing film properties (transparency, mechanical, functional).
• To propose physicochemical structural regulation for advanced intelligent packaging.

Main Methods:

• Review of physical, chemical modification, and green dissolution-regeneration preparation methods.
• Analysis of functionalization strategies (in situ growth, composite loading, electrospinning, layer-by-layer self-assembly).
• Discussion of mechanisms for imparting antibacterial, antioxidant, UV-shielding, and intelligent response properties.

Main Results:

• Different preparation routes significantly impact cellulose film transparency, mechanical strength, and functionality.
• Physicochemical structural regulation offers a pathway to enhance comprehensive film performance.
• Functionalization strategies effectively introduce desired properties, though challenges remain.

Conclusions:

• Cellulose-based intelligent packaging holds promise for efficient, stable, and adaptable food packaging.
• Overcoming challenges in wet stability, transparency-functionality trade-offs, and scalability is key for commercialization.
• Future research should focus on green processing, multifunctional integration, and industrial scalability.