A comprehensive review of nanocellulose modification and applications in papermaking and packaging: Challenges, technical solutions, and perspectives

Abstract

The increasing usage of petroleum-based compounds has prompted numerous environmental concerns. Consequently, there has been a steady rise in research on the synthesis of useful materials from natural sources. Paper technologists are seeking environmentally acceptable dry end and wet end additives. Among the bio-based resources available, nanocellulose is a popular sustainable nanomaterial additive in the paper industry because of its high strength, high oxygen barrier performance, low density, great mechanical properties, and biocompatibility. NC’s extensive hydroxyl groups provide a unique possibility to dramatically modify the hydrophilicity and charge of the surface in order to improve their potential applications in the paper industry. The current paper reviews two series of surface modifications, each with various subcategories, depending on why modified nanocellulose is added in the paper production: to improve barrier properties or to improve mechanical properties of packaging materials. The methods presented in this study use the minimum amount of chemically hazardous solvents to have the least impact on the environment. This review focuses on modifications of nanocellulose and their subsequent application in the papermaking. The knowledge and the discussion presented in this review will form a literature source for future use by various stakeholders and the sustainable paper manufacturers.

Nanocellulose from a colloidal material perspective

“…Starting from the two main possible alternatives to use the NC, in bulk and superficially as a coating, the modification of the NC surface or the developing of suitable surface treatments are the more used options to improve NC compatibility with paper fibers (Lengowski et al, 2019;Hashemzehi et al, 2022). The development of functional papers with enhanced barrier properties, lightweight packaging materials, biodegradable composites, and environmentally friendly printing substrates is still a research need (Hashemzehi et al, 2022;Mujtaba et al, 2022). An interesting novel topic of research is the synergic effect between the use of NC and hot-pressing.…”

Synergies between Fibrillated Nanocellulose and Hot-Pressing of Papers Obtained from High-Yield Pulp

“…NC has been applied in papermaking due to its strong properties, mainly its high strength and mechanical properties; dry and wet strength; Z-strength and fracture toughness [ 42 , 43 ]; decreased porosity and permeability; enhanced barrier properties towards air, grease, water vapor and liquids; high oxygen-barrier performance [ 44 ]; its low density, enabling grammage reduction while increasing tensile strength [ 45 ]; increased filler retention and reduced surface roughness and water penetration [ 46 ]; decreased linting problems in printing papers [ 47 ]; and increased coloring efficiency of colored papers [ 48 ], water treatments [ 49 ], etc. Furthermore, as NC has a relatively high number of carboxyl groups, their reactivity make it possible to modify the hydrophilicity and charge surface to improve their potential applications in papermaking [ 39 , 50 , 51 ]. In addition, among all potential applications in papermaking, the use of NC as a reinforcement additive has been the most studied.…”

Cationized dialdehyde cellulose synthesized with deep eutectic-like solvents: Effects on sheet dewatering and mechanical properties when used as wet-end additive

“…Cationic polymers have been used for many different purposes in papermaking, including improving mechanical properties, fines retention, and water drainage (Tajik et al 2018;Lourenço et al 2020;Hashemzehi et al 2022). Cationic polyelectrolytes can neutralize the fiber surface charges by introducing attractive forces, such as bridging, or diminishing electrostatic repulsion, thus increasing the influence of van der Waals forces (Salmi et al 2007).…”