Rigid waterproof coating for paper aims to reduce our dependence on plastic

Science Daily  May 13, 2022
Researchers in Japan developed an easy silica–resin coating technique to compensate for paper’s weaknesses, including its lack of water resistance and strength, and proposed its use as an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic. When they dispersed 2 nm anatase TiO2 nanoparticles on the paper’s cellulose fibers it exhibited moderate photocatalytic effects such as methylene blue degradation and antibacterial activity. The porous silica–resin film which has high adsorptive capacity efficiently captured organic pollutants until they decomposed via photocatalytic reactions. As a result, the stable silica–resin–TiO2 composite coating protected paper from the environment for an extended period, transforming it into an excellent plastic substitute with enhanced functionality…read more. TECHNICAL ARTICLE 

Graphical abstract. Credit: Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 2022, XXXX, XXX, XXX-XXX, May 13, 2022