Flexible and Gas-Resistant Films Based on Cellulose Nanofiber and Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Cellulose nanofiber (CNF) has attracted increasing attention as a sustainable nanomaterial for high-performance films due to its renewability and outstanding mechanical properties. However, the practical applications of CNF films are largely hindered by their insufficient tensile flexibility and gas barrier performance. In the present work, a reinforced, multifunctional nanocomposite film was prepared via the solution casting method by incorporating CNF with poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT). The influence of PBAT loading on the mechanical flexibility and barrier performance of the nanocomposite film was investigated, and the interfacial bonding characteristics were also studied. As a result, the composite film containing 40 wt% PBAT (denoted as CNF-PBAT40) exhibited a tensile strength of 49.6 MPa, which is generally seven times higher than that of the pristine CNF film. Moreover, its flexibility was notably enhanced, reaching an elongation at break of 7.8%. Additionally, the CNF-PBAT40 composite film showed a markedly reduced air permeability of 2.6 μm·Pa−1·s−1, compared with 9.5 μm·Pa−1·s−1 for the pristine CNF film. Therefore, these synergistically enhanced properties render CNF-PBAT composite films promising candidates for advanced applications in next-generation sustainable packaging.
Source: Molecules
Institution: Zhejiang Sci-Tech University
Language: English
Subfield: Biomaterials
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,258
Funder: Zhejiang Sci-Tech University
OpenAlex ID: W7126040417