Multifunctional and Biobased Coating Aided by Digital Material Design

Lignocellulosic biomass is considered one of the most viable alternatives to replace fossil-based raw materials for carbon-neutral advanced materials. While there are many promising methods to produce sustainable cellulosic packaging and textile materials, there is a clear need for sustainable and scalable surface functionalization methods. Many of the modification methods are either toxic or they hamper the biodegradability of the material. Although we strive for recyclable and long lasting materials, they should degrade if ending up in soil or waters, not to form microplastic pollution. Our research addresses this problem by developing green, enzymatic methods to functionalize cellulosic surfaces. Purely natural lipids and lignin nanoparticles are used to produce superhydrophobic, UV-resistant and antimicrobial activity. We aim at developing robust and rough coatings mimicking nature’s superhydrophobic materials (Figure 31). An environmental impact estimate will guide the coating development to find the most scalable and sustainable approaches. We use enzymes both to attach and detach the lipophilic materials to the substrate consequently improving both durability of coating and the recyclability of the materials. Using cellulose, we target to biobased, durable yet easy to remove, hydrophobic coatings and a coating technology that is applicable in textiles and packaging.