Phenolic Ester-Decorated Cellulose Nanocrystals as UV-Absorbing Nanoreinforcements in Polyvinyl Alcohol Films

Grafting novel and nature-inspired phenolic esters onto cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) provides nanofibers with excellent protection against UV radiation when incorporated into a polymer matrix. In this work, CNCs decorated UV-absorbing diester (CNC-diethyl ferulate or CNC-DEF) obtained via click-type copper-catalyzed azide/alkyne cycloaddition reaction were polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix to produce transparent films photostability properties. PVA filled 20 wt % CNC-DEF exhibited complete (0% transmittance) high transparency in the visible region (70–90% transmittance). contrast, loaded pristine do not show any UV-shielding Importantly, grafting of DEF moieties on significantly aids dispersion aqueous matrix, which was achieved blended PVA. Mechanical tests also that addition increases tensile strength modulus by 91 150%, respectively, relative neat The oxygen barrier properties composite film improve addition. This study shows great potential phenolic-ester-decorated as dispersible, multifunctional nanoreinforcements for industrial packaging applications.