Fabricating lignocellulosic films as potential biobased plastics
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Pontillo, Antonella Rozaria Nefeli
Chen, Sirui
Ordonez, Diego Freire
Mac Dowell, Niall
Lee, Koon-Yang
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Replacing petroleum based plastic packaging with an environmentally sustainable and economically viable process is an important step towards the goal of displacing oil as a petrochemical feedstock. Here we report the preparation of thin films consisting only of cellulose and lignin, using a recyclable ionic liquid. A co-solvent, DMSO, was used to decrease the viscosity of the dope solutions and facilitate the dissolution of the lignin. The films exhibit high mechanical properties with the tensile strength ranging between 65.44 and 93.15 MPa, comparable to those of commercial counterparts, while the presence of lignin increases the viscosity of the dope solutions, adds UV blockage to the films and decreases the wettability of the films with the water contact angle increasing up to 48.6%. The films are stable in various solvents and when immersed in aqueous solutions can swell and double in mass. The research also confirms that the ionic liquid can be retrieved and reused for at least five cycles without hindering its chemical composition and thermal stability.
Date Issued
2025-05-01
Date Acceptance
2025-03-24
Citation
RSC Sustainability, 2025, 3 (5), pp.2301-2310
ISSN
2753-8125
Publisher
The Royal Society of Chemistry
Start Page
2301
End Page
2310
Journal / Book Title
RSC Sustainability
Volume
3
Issue
5
Copyright Statement
© 2025 The Author(s). Published by the Royal Society of Chemistry Open Access Article. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported Licence.
License URL
Subjects
CELLULOSE DISSOLUTION
Chemistry
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Engineering
Engineering, Chemical
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
IONIC LIQUIDS
LIGNIN
MIXTURES
Physical Sciences
Science & Technology
Science & Technology - Other Topics
Technology
WATER
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2025-04-01