Conversion of low-quality cotton to bioplastics

Abstract The use of eco-friendly bioplastics has become a viable solution to reduce the accumulation petrochemical products in biosphere and decrease microplastic contamination. In this study, we used low-quality cotton fibers that lack textile applications prepare bioplastics. We dissolved N , -dimethylacetamide/lithium chloride (DMAc/LiCl) solvent system converted cellulose solutions strong, transparent, flexible films through casting, gelation, regeneration, plasticization, hot-pressing. Films were characterized using different analytical techniques evaluate their physicochemical mechanical properties. Compared raw cellulose, regenerated hot-pressed showed amorphous structures excellent tensile characteristics. physical properties films, such as deformation recovery, flexibility, homogeneity, elongation, surface roughness, significantly improved by means plasticization Because glycerol increased hydrophilicity plasma-induced grafting oleic acid imparted hydrophobicity films. This study presents new avenue for are usually sold at discounted price produce value-added bioproducts applications. Graphic abstract