Cellulose Nanofibril/Talc Composite Films with Excellent Barrier Properties by Alternate Hierarchical Method

Cellulose-based materials offer a promising alternative to non-biodegradable plastics in packaging applications due to their biodegradability and abundance. However, the fabrication of cellulose-based materials with a facile method and high barrier properties remains an ongoing challenge. To solve this problem, two-dimensional (2D) platelets with large specific surface areas are employed to improve the barrier properties. Herein, an alternate hierarchical structure was constructed by incorporating talc platelets into a cellulose nanofibril (CNF) matrix through a one-step vacuum filtration process. The fabricated CNF–talc composite films showed significantly improved oxygen and water vapor barrier properties in the preservation test. This composite film also possessed excellent UV blocking with high thermal stability, which meets the requirements of various outdoor applications. More importantly, the prepared CNF-based films had excellent biodegradability compared with conventional plastic films. This ecofriendly and cost-efficient fabrication method of CNF–talc films, in which inorganic nanosheets and organic layers are alternately intercalated, can further inspire the design and development of packaging materials with high barrier properties.