TY  - EJOU
AU  - Khalil, Ahmed M. 
AU  - Kamel, Samir 

TI  - Microwave-Assisted Acetylated Lignin Loaded into Cellulose Acetate for Efficient UV-Shielding Films
T2  - Journal of Renewable Materials

PY  - 2025
VL  - 13
IS  - 2
SN  - 2164-6341

AB  - 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.
KW  - Cellulose acetate; microwave-assisted acetylation; nano lignin acetate; UV-shielding

DO  - 10.32604/jrm.2024.057419