Functionalized cellulose nanofibrils based supramolecular system-assisted molding enabled strong, antibacterial chitosan bioplastics

Bioplastics are considered as potential alternatives to non-renewable and non-biodegradable petroleum-based plastics. Inspired by ionic and amphiphilic properties of mussel protein, we proposed a versatile and facile strategy for the fabrication of a high-performance chitosan (CS) composite film. This technique incorporates a cationic hyperbranched polyamide (QHB) and a supramolecular system based on the lignosulphonate (LS)-functionalized cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) (LS@CNF) hybrids. The cationic QHB was synthesized by a one-step process from hyperbranched polyamide and quaternary ammonium salt. Meanwhile, the functional LS@CNF hybrids act as a well-dispersed and rigid cross-linked domain in CS matrix. Owing to the interconnected hyperbranched and enhanced supramolecular network, the toughness and tensile strength of the CS/QHB/LS@CNF film simultaneously increased to 19.1 MJ/m3 and 50.4 MPa, 170.2 % and 72.6 % higher than the pristine CS film. Additionally, the functional QHB/LS@CNF hybrids endow the films with superior antibacterial activity, water resistance, UV shielding, and thermal stability. This bioinspired strategy provides a novel and sustainable method for the production of multifunctional CS films.