As the demand for sustainable materials increases, cellulose-derived materials have gained strong attention in composite systems as renewable reinforcements. Incorporating hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) in thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) allows for tuning mechanical and optical properties in the presence of moisture. In this study, we used a simple one-step method to fabricate HPC/ thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) composite films with commercially available materials amenable to large-scale manufacture. We observed tunable optical and mechanical properties of HPC/TPU composite film in both dry and wet states compared to the pure TPU film and that suggest properties not typically achievable with plasticization. Furthermore, we highlight the capability of HPC/TPU composites in flexible optical materials for UV-near infrared protection. We believe this composite film could play a significant role in stimuli-responsive materials with its water-activated, reversible multi-functionality. What' s more, applying this method can promote further use of sustainable and inexpensive materials.

Sustainable cellulose-derived polymer composite film with reversible multi-functionality triggered by water

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