Preparation of double-effect water-proof and oil-proof paper based on carboxylated nanocellulose emulsified acrylate polymer

The materials utilized in paper packaging are derived from natural plant fibers, making them both environmentally friendly and biodegradable. However, traditional paper has been vulnerable to water and oil, which has limited its widespread use. In this research, a low-fluorine acrylate emulsion with a short carbon chain (CNFC6FA) was created by employing carboxylated nanocellulose (TOCNF), dodecyl phenol ethoxylate, and sodium dodecyl sulfate as emulsifiers through semi-continuous seed emulsion polymerization. When combined with a specific amount of polyvinyl alcohol, this emulsion is applied to the paper surface to enhance the paper's hydrophobic and lipophobic properties. The findings revealed that paper coated with 5 g/m2 of CNF-C6FA achieved an oil-proof grade of 10 and a Cobb value of 13 g/m2, signifying a significant enhancement. It was discovered that TOCNF, acting as an emulsifier, not only maintained emulsion stability through steric hindrance, threedimensional network structures, or vacancy effects but also conferred exceptional waterproof and oil-repellent properties to the paper. This can be attributed to TOCNF reinforcing the fluorocarbon groups in a directional arrangement, resulting in a dense and smooth coating layer on the paper's surface. The utilization of TOCNF as an emulsifier to produce environmentally friendly, waterproof, and oil-proof paper presents a promising approach for its high-value application.