• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.766-773
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• 2013

A transparent film was fabricated based on bacterial cellulose (BC), BC has excellent physical strength and stability at high temperature and it is an environmental friendly flexible material. In order to improve the conductivity, silver nanowire (AgNW) and/or graphene were introduced to the BC membrane. The aspect ratio of the AgNW synthesized in this study was 214, with a length of $15{\mu}m$ and width of 70 nm. The higher aspect ratio improved the conductivity by reducing the contact resistance. The thermal and electrical properties of 7 types of films prepared were investigated. Each film was fabricated with rectangular shape ($2mm{\times}2mm{\times}50{\mu}m$). The films were scored with a net shape by a knife, and filled with AgNW and graphene to bestow conductivity. The film filled with AgNW showed favorable electrical characteristics with a thickness of $350{\mu}m$, electron concentration of $1.53{\times}10^{19}$, electron mobility of $6.63{\times}10^5$, and resistivity of 0.28. The film filled with graphene had a thickness of $360{\mu}m$, electron concentration of $7.74{\times}10^{17}$, electron mobility of 0.17, and resistivity of 4.78. The transmittances at 550 nm were 98.1% and 80.9%, respectively. All the films were able to light LEDs bulbs although their brightness differed. A thermal stability test of the BC and PET films at $150{\pm}5^{\circ}C$ showed that the BC film was more stable, whereas the PET film was quickly banded. From these results, it was confirmed that there it is possible to fabricate new transparent conductivity films based on BC.

• Journal of Korea Technical Association of The Pulp and Paper Industry
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.46-55
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• 2014

In this study, we modified the surface of nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) through LbL (Layer-by-Layer) multilayering process with polyelectrolytes and investigated the effects of the NFC modification on the charge of NFC surface and the dewatering ability of NFC suspension. The multilayering process was done onto NFC fibers using polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (PDADMAC) and poly-sodium 4-styrene sulfonate (PSS) under different dosage and washing conditions. When the washing was carried out in every adsorption stage, the modified NFC had strong cationic or anionic charge depending on the type of polyelectrolyte in the outermost layer and the dewatering ability was not affected. In the case of no washing treatment or washing in the final adsorption stage, however, the zeta potential of NFC was close to an isoelectric point so that the dewatering ability increased remarkably. Low addition level of polyelectrolytes also showed the similar results. The mixing of NFC suspensions with opposite charge resulted in higher network strength and improved dewatering ability due to the flocculation.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.115-124
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• 2020

Sustainable plastics can be mainly categorized into (1) biodegradable plastics decomposed into water and carbon dioxide after use, and (2) biomass-derived plastics possessing the carbon neutrality by utilizing raw materials converted from atmospheric carbon dioxide to biomass. Recently, biomass-derived engineering plastics (EP) and natural nanofiber-reinforced nanocomposites are emerging as a new direction of the industry. In addition to the eco-friendliness of natural resources, these materials are competitive over petroleum-based plastics in the high value-added plastics market. Polyesters and polycarbonates synthesized from isosorbide and 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid, which are representative biomass-derived monomers, are at the forefront of industrialization due to their higher transparency, mechanical properties, thermal stability, and gas barrier properties. Moreover, isosorbide has potential to be applied to super EP material with continuous service temperature over 150 ℃. In situ polymerization utilizing surface hydrophilicity and multi-functionality of natural nanofibers such as nanocellulose and nanochitin achieves remarkable improvements of mechanical properties with the minimal dose of nanofillers. Biomass-derived tough-plastics covered in this review are expected to replace petroleum-based plastics by satisfying the carbon neutrality required by the environment, the high functionality by the consumer, and the accessibility by the industry.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF PACKAGING SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.81-87
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• 2022

Paper is a promising alternative to petroleum-based plastic materials for sustainable packaging applications. However, paper exhibits poor gas and water vapor barrier properties, which restrict its effective application in the packaging industry. To enhance the properties of papers, sodium caseinate (CasNa)/transglutaminase (TG) coating solutions with various TG contents were prepared and coated on the papers. The chemical and morphological structures, mechanical properties, seal strength, and water vapor barrier properties of the coated papers were thoroughly investigated. The paper properties depended significantly on the chemical and morphological structures. Pristine CasNa and CasNa/TG coating solutions were evenly coated on the paper surfaces, without any cracks. The chemical structure of the CasNa/TG coated papers was slightly influenced by TG addition, resulting in increased elongation at break and enhanced water barrier properties. To promote the use of CasNa-coated papers in packaging applications, additional investigations must be performed to prevent gas and moisture permeation and enhance the mechanical strength of these papers via chemical reactions and introduction of organic/inorganic composites.