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    A Facile and Green Method to Hydrophobize Films of Cellulose Nanofibrils and Silica by Laccase-Mediated Coupling of Nonpolar Colloidal Particles

    Year: 2014

    Journal: CHEMSUSCHEM, Vol. 7, p 2868-2878, 20150722

    Authors: Cusola, Oriol; Blanca Roncero, M.; Vidal, Teresa; Rojas, Orlando J.

    Organizations: Univ Politecn Cataluna, BarcelonaTech, Text & Paper Engn Dept, Terrassa 08222, Spain; Aalto Univ, Sch Chem Technol, Dept Forest Prod Technol, Espoo 00076, Finland; N Carolina State Univ, Dept Forest Biomat, Raleigh, NC 27695 USA; N Carolina State Univ, Dept Chem & Biomol Engn, Raleigh, NC 27695 USA

    Hydrophobic particles based on dodecyl 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate (LG) were coupled onto the surface of cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) and silica by treatment with a multicomponent colloidal system (MCS) derived from the laccase-mediated reaction of LG in the presence of a sulfonated lignin (SL). Surface modification upon treatment with MCS was monitored insitu and in real time by quartz crystal microgravimetry. The colloidal stability of MCS and its components in water was followed by measuring space- and time-resolved light transmission and back scattering. The sulfonated lignin increased dispersion stability and reduced the characteristic MCS particle size [from approximate to 4 to approximate to 80nm, according to AFM and dynamic light scattering (DLS)]. It also facilitated the surface enzymatic reaction that led to adsorption and coupling of MCS onto CNFs and silica surfaces. The combined effect of reduced surface energy and surface roughness by MCS treatment produced an increase in water contact angle on CNFs and silica of about 90 and 80 degrees, respectively. Surface pretreatment with chitosan further increased the extent of MCS adsorption on the surfaces. This method represents a sustainable alternative to traditional approaches for cellulose hydrophobization and a step forward in implementing green routes for surface modification.