A recent study published in Green Chemistry showed that the performance of the polyglycan electrolyte composite coating was good. The paperboard composed of carboxymethyl cellulose and chitosan nano-structured fiber particles has a strong oil-water barrier property. The coating can not only resist toluene, n-heptane and salt solution, but also improve the mechanical properties in dry and wet environment and the barrier performance to water vapor.
Researchers at Pennsylvania State University in the United States have developed a cheap biomaterial that can be used in packaging and renewable isolation coating instead of plastic packaging. Researchers have also developed many other applications of this material. They predict that the use of this new material will significantly reduce pollution.
The fully degradable polysaccharide electrolyte composite is composed of almost the same amount of cellulose pulp and chitosan treated with wood, cotton and chitosan. Chitosan comes from chitin, which is the main component of arthropod and crustacean exoskeleton; Chitin mainly comes from lobster, crab and the residual shell after people eat shrimp.
"This material is surprisingly strong. Its insoluble adhesion is useful for product packaging and other applications. For example, it can be made into wood fiber composites with better performance and completely natural properties, and even can be used on the floor." Jeffrey Catchmark, professor and chief researcher of agricultural and biological engineering at the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Pennsylvania State University, said that these environmentally friendly isolation coatings have a wide range of applications, From waterproof paper to coating for ceiling tiles and wall panels, to food coating for preservation.