Tailoring alkyl ketene dimer on structural-properties relationship of cellulose-based materials: a short review.

The development of cellulose-based materials is rapidly increasing due to their promising interest and being widely used in various applications such as food, industrial, pharmaceutical, paper, textile production, and wastewater treatment. Cellulose has several advantages including low cost, renewability, superior mechanical properties, and biodegradability. Nowadays, a novel cellulose-based material, which is known as all-cellulose composites (ACCs), has emerged, consisting of cellulose for both reinforcing and matrix phases. However, the hydrophilic characteristics of cellulose can lead to poor interfacial adhesion between reinforcing and matrix phases, affecting its mechanical properties, water absorption, water contact angle, and microstructural changes. Therefore, this review summarized the effect of alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) on the structural-properties relationship of cellulose-based materials. In this review, it was observed that the mechanical properties for cellulose-based materials varied with the use of AKD concentration in the range of 4–16 wt.%. A decrease in the water absorption was also identified in the range of 10–85%. The water contact angles were observed beyond 100° after AKD treatment. In addition, the possible reactions between AKD and cellulose structures are also discussed. It is envisaged that this review will help the development of potential hydrophobic ACCs in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]