Hierarchical assembly of biomass fiber–lamella–macromolecule networks for biocomposites with high strength and water-resistant sealing
Abstract
Enhancing mechanical strength and water resistance in cellulose fiber-based materials is crucial for their adoption as sustainable alternatives to petroleum plastics. However, achieving these improvements through a simple, economical, and ecofriendly approach remains a major challenge. Here, we present a chitosan (CS)-driven multiscale assembly and rearrangement strategy that produces fiber–lamella biocomposites with outstanding mechanical strength and water resistance, achieved without any chemical modification, thermal treatments, or mechanical pressing. This method leverages synergetic electrostatic interactions, hydrogen-bonding, and hydrophobic association where negatively charged microscale pliable pollen lamella and positively charged macromolecular CS sequentially assemble within pulp fibers to form dense, water-resistant networks. Relying solely on the spontaneous organization of the three components, the resulting fiber/pollen-CS (FP-CS) biocomposites exhibit superior mechanical strength (~80 MPa) and maintain water stability for up to 100 d. Remarkably, they also enable seamless water-resistant sealing through simple CS application, facilitating ecofriendly production of straws, packaging, and water-resistant patches. This green, scalable, and energy-efficient process uses only biomass feedstocks to produce high-performance biocomposites, offering a promising sustainable alternative to conventional plastics.
Article Details
Journal Info
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
National Academy of Sciences
Authors (8)
Yijin Qiu
Hubei Key Laboratory of Biomass Resource Chemistry and Environmental Biotechnology, Hubei International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Sustainable Resource and Energy, Hubei Engineering Center of Natural Polymers-based Medical Materials, School of Resource and Environmental Science, Wuhan University
Dachuan Zhang
Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore
Zhixuan Zhou
State Key Laboratory of Chemo and Biosensing, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Di Yang
Hubei Key Laboratory of Biomass Resource Chemistry and Environmental Biotechnology, Hubei International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Sustainable Resource and Energy, Hubei Engineering Center of Natural Polymers-based Medical Materials, School of Resource and Environmental Science, Wuhan University
Chen Qian
Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University
Chaoji Chen
Hubei Key Laboratory of Biomass Resource Chemistry and Environmental Biotechnology, Hubei International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Sustainable Resource and Energy, Hubei Engineering Center of Natural Polymers-based Medical Materials, School of Resource and Environmental Science, Wuhan University
Ze Zhao
Hubei Key Laboratory of Biomass Resource Chemistry and Environmental Biotechnology, Hubei International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Sustainable Resource and Energy, Hubei Engineering Center of Natural Polymers-based Medical Materials, School of Resource and Environmental Science, Wuhan University
Hongbing Deng
Hubei Key Laboratory of Biomass Resource Chemistry and Environmental Biotechnology, Hubei International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Sustainable Resource and Energy, Hubei Engineering Center of Natural Polymers-based Medical Materials, School of Resource and Environmental Science, Wuhan University