Sustainable hydrophobic cellulose reveals potential for changing petroleum-related merchandise

A latest research has aimed to create hydrophobic paper by exploiting the mechanical properties and water resistance of cellulose nanofibers, and so produce a sustainable, high-performance materials appropriate for packaging and biomedical units. This concerned a supramolecular strategy, i.e., combining brief chains of proteins (peptide sequences) that don’t chemically modify the cellulose nanofibers. Sustainable hydrophobic paper could sooner or later substitute petroleum-related merchandise.

The research is titled “Nanocellulose-short peptide self-assembly for improved mechanical energy and barrier efficiency,” and was featured on the duvet of the Journal of Supplies Chemistry B. The work was carried out by researchers from the “Giulio Natta” Division of Chemistry, Supplies and Chemical Engineering on the Politecnico di Milano, in collaboration with Aalto College, the VTT-Technical Analysis Centre in Finland and the SCITEC Institute of the CNR.

Cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) are pure fibers derived from cellulose—a renewable and biodegradable supply—and are well-known for his or her energy and flexibility. Within the research, the researchers from the SupraBioNanoLab of the “Giulio Natta” Division of the Politecnico di Milano confirmed how it’s doable to drastically enhance the properties of cellulose nanofibers with out chemically modifying them, as an alternative including small proteins referred to as peptides.

“Our supramolecular strategy concerned including small sequences of peptides, which bind onto the nanofibers and so enhance their mechanical efficiency and water-resistance,” stated Elisa Marelli, co-author of the research, explaining the methodology. “The outcomes of the research confirmed that even minimal portions of peptides (lower than 0.1%) can considerably improve the mechanical properties of the hybrid supplies produced, giving them larger resistance to emphasize.”

Lastly, the researchers assessed the impression of including fluorine atoms to the peptide sequences. This made it doable to create a structured hydrophobic movie on the fabric, offering even larger water resistance whereas nonetheless preserving its biocompatible and sustainable traits.

As Pierangelo Metrangolo, co-author of the research, identified, “This advance opens up new alternatives for creating biomaterials that may compete with petroleum-derived supplies when it comes to efficiency, attaining the identical high quality and effectivity whereas decreasing environmental impression. These hybrid supplies are very appropriate for sustainable packaging, the place resistance to moisture is important, and likewise to be used in biomedical units, due to their biocompatibility.”