Cellulosic paper-based materials are considered to be one of the most potential candidates to replace non-degradable plastics, but the strong affinity between cellulose and water causes cellulosic paper-based materials to face the dilemma of poor water resistance and weak wet strength. Herein, a fatty acid-based hydrophobic modifier (SAT) is constructed by amidation reaction between (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane and stearic acid. The ethoxy groups in the structure of SAT can be covalently crosslinked with the hydroxyl groups of cellulose through hydrolytic condensation, thereby making cellulose paper-based materials exhibit excellent properties including (1) high mechanical properties (the dry-state tensile strength has doubled from 22.3 to 46.8 MPa, while the wet-state tensile strength has surged from 0.47 to 20.0 MPa), (2) long-term stability (mechanical properties remain almost unchanged after 40 days storage at 80% RH), (3) superb water resistance (soaked in water at 25 degrees C for 1 h, water absorption drops from 247.0% to 56.5%; at 90 degrees C, it falls from 290.5% to 82.9%), (4) eco-friendly (it can be completely degraded after being buried in soil for 90 days, or it can be recycled and reused). The aforementioned impressive performance positions SAT-modified cellulose paper as a formidable contender for plastic replacement in packaging applications.Highlights Fatty acid-based modifier (SAT) can modify cellulose by chemical bond. The low polarity of long-chain alkanes enables cellulose's hydrophobicity. Covalent crosslinking of SAT with cellulose ensures superb strength SAT paper is an unrivaled combination of degradability and recycling.

来源平台：POLYMER COMPOSITES