Surface treatments of paper and paper-based compounds are one of the most effective methods for improving different specifications of paper products, such as printability, paper strength values, absorption performance, and diminished surface roughness. In this study, cellulose derivatives of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and zinc oxide (ZnO), an inorganic antibacterial material, were prepared in varying concentrations (1/1, 1/0.5, and 1/0.25) and applied to standard filter paper by the dip-coating method to examine the combined effects of these chemicals on paper properties and the performance of the investigation papers as a food packaging material. Density, dry-wet strength, Cobb values, oil-dye absorption, and air permeability of papers were investigated in addition to degradation tests, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, antibacterial activity, and scanning electron microscopy images. The density values of papers were determined between 0.421 and 0.468 g/cm3. Although determined by different techniques, oil absorption and dye absorption performances showed similar patterns, and the addition of ZnO into the composition caused a decrease in the absorption performances. Dry strength and Cobb values increased with the ZnO addition, and strength values increased. Wet strength values. According to all of the findings, these papers would make excellent food packaging materials, particularly for dry, low-weight products.

Paper and paper-based compounds are frequently coated with various polymeric chemicals to improve their qualities, ranging from surface roughness to printability. Different biological derivatives of polymers, including as starch, chitosan, and cellulose precursors, are routinely utilized to improve paper qualities via various coating approaches. In this investigation, alginates (Als) of varying molecular weights were combined with zinc oxide (ZnO), and the produced compositions (1/1, 1/0.5, 1/0.25) were applied to the filter paper surface using a simple bar coating process. Control and Al/ZnO-coated papers’ density, degradation versus time, oil absorption performances, FTIR spectrum, dry-wet strength, COBB values, air permeabilities, antibacterial activities and SEM images were evaluated for determining Al and Al/ZnO-based coating solutions’ efficiencies. The density values of the papers were found to range from 42.10 g/cm³ to 46.75 g/cm³. The inclusion of ZnO reduces liquid absorption efficiency, which is consistent with the degradation results. The use of ZnO in the coating solution enhanced both the dry strength and water absorption capabilities, leading to strength performance improvements from 0.2134 kN m/g to a range of 0.3220 kN m/g to 0.3652 kN m/g. Contrastly, wet strength performances decreased to 0.0205 kN m/g-0.0262 kN m/g from 0.45 kN m/g. In general, both strength and antibacterial performances show that these papers can be candidates for food packaging material for low-weighted dry substances.

Background and Aims This study was started with the synthesis of cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose (CHEC) from HEC, which is a biological cellulose derivative. After adding different amounts of Gel polymer into the CHEC matrix, bicomposite materials were obtained. The general characterization properties of these composites were investigated for determining their usability for various applications. Methods Initially, HEC was cationized with glycidyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (GTMAC). Subsequently, Gel was incorporated into CHEC structure in varying proportions (80/20, 50/50, and 20/80; 80/20 denotes 80% CHEC and 20% Gel w/w). Composites were produced by means of the lyophilization process, even after freezing the polymer compounds at -86°C for 24 hours. The effects of the crosslinkers, CaCl₂ (C) (5%) or TA (tannic acid) (5%), were also added into the composition to show their efficiency compared to non-added pure samples. Porosity values, density, BET (Bruneuer Emmett Teller) surface area values, liquid absorption (water, phosphate-buffered saline-PBS, oil), water vapor transmission (WVT), FTIR spectrum, bacterial resistance, and SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) imaging experiments were carried out to perform the characterization. Results The low level of density values were determined between 0.0121 g/cm³-0.0238 g/cm³. In addition to high porosity also high spesific surface area values (206 g/m² to 307 g/m²) were obtained and it was determined that both these specifications were negatively effected with addition of crosslinker. Liquid absorption performances were also evaluated and high levels for each liquids (water 1135%-1533%; PBS 1098%-1628%; oil 1237%-5236%) were measured addition to antibacterial efficacy against S. aureus and E. coli. Conclusion Freezing-lyophilization process was carried out to obtain CHEC-Gel-based biocomposites with different mixing ratios of CHEC and Gel. Low level of density and highly porous structures were obtained. Their high WVT, antibacterial properties, and capacity to absorb liquids were all highlighted in the experiments, suggesting that these materials have a wide range of potential specialized uses.

Nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) and carrageenan (CG) have emerged as sustainable biological polymers of plant and animal origin, and have been produced as films, spheres, and other materials with various physical macromorphological structures. However, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, NFC/CG aerogels combining TEMPO-oxidized NFC, CG, and a natural crosslinker (TA) have not been systematically characterized yet, which is the main objective of this study. NFC/CG aerogels were obtained by combining these two polymers at various mixing ratios. Samples were produced as pure aerogels without crosslinking chemicals and with tannic acid (TA) as a crosslinker. Material performance was evaluated using density–porosity, BET (Brunauer–Emmett–Teller) surface area, liquid absorption (water, phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), oil, methylene blue (MB), and Congo red (CR) penetration ratio), water vapor transmission (WVTR), chemical structure changes (FTIR), degree of crystallinity (XRD), antibacterial properties, and SEM (scanning electron microscopy) imaging tests. All aerogels exhibit densities of 0.0154–0.0267 g/cm³, porosities of 97.91–99.63%, and specific surface areas of 128–303 m²/g. In addition to bacterial resistance, aerogels had high water and PBS absorption values. The incorporation of TA led to a notable enhancement in antibacterial efficacy, though with a minor decrease in the porosity and surface area parameters.