Projects per year
Abstract
The production of hydrophobic and oil resistant cellulosic fibers usually requires severe chemical treatments and generates toxic by-products. Alternative approaches such as biocatalysis use milder conditions; lipase-catalyzed methods for grafting nanocellulose with hydrophobic ester moieties have been reported. Here, we investigate the lipase-catalyzed esterification of cellulose fibers, in native form or pretreated with 1,4-β-glucanases, and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) in solvent-free conditions. The fibers were compared for degree of ester formation after incubation with methyl myristate and lipase at 50 °C. After washing, the grafting of fatty esters on cellulose was confirmed by ATR-FTIR and the degree of substitution determined by 13C CP/MAS NMR (from 0.04 up to DS 0.1) confirming successful esterification. Optical photothermal infrared (O-PTIR) spectroscopy showed strongly localized presence of ester moieties on cellulose. Functional properties mirrored the degree of substitution of the cellulose materials whereby cellulose esters made with glucanase-pretreatment produced the highest water contact angle of 117° ± 9 and esterified cellulose blended at 10 % w/w content in paper composites showed significant differences in hydrophobicity and lipophilicity compared to plain paper. The esterification of cellulose was completely reversed by lipase treatment in aqueous media. These ester-functionalized fibers show potential in a wide range of packaging applications.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 127972 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | International Journal of Biological Macromolecules |
Volume | 254 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jan 2024 |
Keywords
- Ester grafting
- Hydrophobic paper
- Surface analysis
Projects
- 1 Finished
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ARC Research Hub for Processing Lignocellulosics into High Value Products
Garnier, G., Batchelor, W., Simon, G., Haritos, V., Patti, A., Saito, K., Griesser, H., Paull, B., Tanner, J., Spinnler, H., Allais, F., Richardson, D., Mackay, A., Carter, S., Faltas, R., Edye, L., Hendriks, D., Karmakar, N., Bhattacharya, S. & Hawe, N.
Monash University – Internal University Contribution, Monash University – Internal Faculty Contribution, Monash University – Internal Department Contribution, Paper Australia Pty Ltd, Leaf Resources Pty Ltd, Department of State Growth (Tasmania), University of Tasmania, University of South Australia, Agro Biotechnologies Industrielles, Visy Industries Australia Pty Ltd (trading as Visy Industries), Norske Skog Paper Mills (Australia) Pty Ltd, Orora Limited (trading as AMCOR Australia)
10/01/18 → 31/12/24
Project: Research