Fundamental investigation of micro-nano cellulose and lignin interaction for transparent paper: Experiment and electrostatic potential calculation

摘要

Plastic has significant negative consequences for the environment and human health, demanding greener alternatives. Lignocellulose is a sustainable biomass material, and its paper has been considered as a potential material to replace plastics. Micro-nano lignocellulose, derived from natural plants, possesses a small size and abundant hydrogen bonding capacity. However, there is no clear explanation for the interactions between lignin and micro-nano cellulose, and little understanding of how the interaction can affect the papers' structure and optical properties. Electrostatic potential calculation is a reliable tool to explain non-covalent interactions, and can explore the binding between lignin and micro-nano cellulose. In this paper, kenaf - a non-wood fiber raw material - was employed to prepare micro-nano lignocellulose. The resulting slurry facilitated the production of transparent paper via a simple casting method. The prepared transparent micro-nano paper exhibited high transparency (similar to 90 %), UVA resistance (similar to 80 %), and hydrophobicity (similar to 114(o)). More importantly, the electrostatic potential calculation demonstrates the inherent relationship between structure and performance, providing practical knowledge for constructing film materials.

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