Emulsão a base de ceras vegetais e nanofibrilas de celulose para revestimento de papel cartão

Abstract

Cardboard is valued for its malleability, mechanical strength, low cost, and lightweight, in addition to being biodegradable due to its composition of cellulose fibers. However, cardboard has limitations in terms of water, grease, and gas resistance, which can compromise its effectiveness as a packaging material. In this context, the application of coconut wax blend emulsions and cellulose nanofibrils emerges as an innovative solution to improve the barrier properties of cardboard and potentially replace conventional barrier materials. Coconut wax is a natural and renewable material that is widely available and possesses hydrophobic characteristics. Cellulose nanofibrils, on the other hand, are thin and flexible structures derived from cellulose, which enhance the mechanical properties of cardboard and create a more uniform surface. This study focused on applying these coconut wax blend emulsions and cellulose nanofibrils through coating processes, using suitable equipment to ensure a uniform distribution of the coating on the cardboard surface. The drying of the papers was carried out using ultraviolet (UV) light at different speeds, and papers with different grammages were also produced to evaluate the effect of these parameters on the quality of the barrier properties. The coating was characterized in terms of thickness, grammage, wettability, COBB (Cobb sizing test), water vapor permeability, grease resistance, and surface energy. Furthermore, this approach contributes to reducing the use of non-biodegradable plastic materials in the packaging industry, thereby reducing negative environmental impact. With ongoing research and development advancements in these coatings, it is expected that they will become increasingly efficient and widely adopted as an alternative to petroleum-based coatings.