The hydrophilic nature of cellulose materials leads to low resistance to water, restricting their potential applications under humid conditions. In this work, the hydrophobization of the cellulose films was achieved by simple soaking of them in alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) dispersions, followed by drying and heating. The results showed the AKD particles were present on the surface of the cellulose films. The water-contact angles of the film increased from 50 to 110�, and the oxygen permeability decreased from 0.56 to 0.13 mL �m m�2 day�1 kPa�1 at 50% RH, when the AKD content of film increased from 0 to 0.2 wt %. Moreover, these cellulose�AKD films had high optical transparency, tensile strength, and work of fracture. Furthermore, the chemical structures of AKD-related components at the AKD/cellulose interface were also studied. Therefore, the practical applications of cellulose films are expanded by a facile surface treatment with AKD.

Hydrophobization of cellulose films by surface modification with alkyl ketene dimer (AKD)

245th National Meeting (2013)

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