Biofunctional cellulose fibers from mulberry bast via suberin nanointerface engineering

The development of yarn-free cellulose fibers from natural biomass provides a low-energy and environmentally conscious alternative for producing functional textiles. This study introduced a method for producing yarn-free cellulose fibers from the bast of Broussonetia papyrifera (paper mulberry), a fast-growing plant that does not require pesticides. The fibers were extracted using a mild alkaline treatment that preserved their alignment and allowed them to be knitted directly without traditional spinning. A coating of suberin, obtained from cork bark waste ( Quercus variabilis ), was applied using ethanol dispersion and fixed by heating at 110 °C. The coating improved the fiber’s antibacterial performance, moisture response, and mechanical strength (tensile strength: 0.43 GPa; Young’s modulus: 6.4 GPa), while keeping the material flexible and washable. The suberin layer could be removed and reused through a recycling process involving ionic liquids, allowing over 95% recovery after multiple cycles. A life cycle assessment showed that this fiber system had a lower environmental impact compared to conventional synthetic textile fibers. Overall, this work provided a practical and recyclable approach to making functional textiles from natural plant materials.