@Article{jrm.2024.057419,
AUTHOR = {Ahmed M. Khalil, Samir Kamel},
TITLE = {Microwave-Assisted Acetylated Lignin Loaded into Cellulose Acetate for Efficient UV-Shielding Films},
JOURNAL = {Journal of Renewable Materials},
VOLUME = {13},
YEAR = {2025},
NUMBER = {2},
PAGES = {401--412},
URL = {http://www.techscience.com/jrm/v13n2/59542},
ISSN = {2164-6341},
ABSTRACT = {Developing favorable bio-based polymers that replace petroleum-based plastics is an essential environmental demand. Lignin is a by-product of the chemical pulping industry. It is a natural UV protection ingredient in broad-spectrum (UVA and UVB) sunscreens. It could be partially and selectively acetylated in a simple, fast, and more reliable process. In this work, a composite film was prepared with UV-resistant properties through a casting method. Bio-based cellulose acetate (CA) was employed as a major matrix while nano-acetylated kraft lignin (AL-NPs) was used as filler during synthesizing UV-shielding films loaded with various amounts (1–5 wt.%) of AL-NPs. Kraft lignin was acetylated through a simple and fast microwave-assisted process using acetic acid as a solvent and acetylating agent. The physicochemical and morphological characteristics of the prepared films were evaluated using different methods, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), mechanical testing and contact angle measurement. The UV-Vis spectroscopy optical investigation of the prepared films revealed that AL-NPs in the CA matrix showed strong UV absorption. This feature demonstrated the effectiveness of our research in developing UV-resistant bio-based polymer films. Hence, the prepared films can be considered as successful candidates to be applied in packaging applications.},
DOI = {10.32604/jrm.2024.057419}
}