Among cellulose-based materials, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) can be used as alternative eco-friendly packaging materials. However, the conservation of high stiffness and strength against hydration-induced decay of mechanical properties at high humidity remains a fundamental challenge in such water-borne high-performance materials. Inspired by the brick-and-mortar structure of nacre and mussel adhesive proteins, dopamine (DA) was conjugated to CMC and subsequently assembled with montmorillonite (MTM) to generate layered nanocomposite films using a simple vacuum filtration-assisted assembly method. The selective formation of catechol/metal ion chelation and hydrogen bonding at the interface between MTM platelets and CMC bearing DA rendered transparent films with strong mechanical properties at high humidity and stability in wet state. Adding the component of conjugated DA on CMC resulted in nanocomposites with increased tensile strength and elastic modulus at high relative humidity (90%). Thermogravimetric analysis and horizontal flame test shows that the nanocomposites have high thermal stability and are able to self-extinguish immediately after the removal of the flame. Therefore, the facile and cost-effective strategy in this work provides a promising approach to address the moisture resistance problem at high relative humidity, which has potential applications in the flexible display, druggery and food packaging field.

Mussel-inspired clay/carboxymethyl cellulose nanocomposites with high hygromechanical and self- extinguish performance

2019 Spring National Meeting

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