The comparison of coated paper properties with cellulose nanofiber-zinc nanooxide and strach-zinc nanooxide

Today, paper is being increasingly used in the packaging industry all over the world due to environmental issues, recyclability and printability. Accordingly, researchers and producers are seeking for solutions to solve the disadvantages of paper used for packaging food products. The coating is a method of enhancing the barrier and mechanical properties of paper. Also, to preserve food against microbial agents, antibacterial substances are used in the composition of coating materials. In the present study, starch, cellulose nanofiber, starch-zinc nanooxide, and cellulose nanofiber-zinc nanooxide were used as coating treatments. The results showed that using cellulose nanofiber and starch with zinc nanooxide will result in improved mechanical and barrier properties of paper. Burst strength, air permeability, and water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) showed the best results after coating the papers with cellulose nanofiber-zinc nanooxide compound. Tear strength showed the best result after coating the paper with cellulose nanofiber. The coated papers by starch and the coated papers by cellulose nanofiber-zinc nanooxide compound showed the highest and lowest water absorption, respectively. Adding zinc nanooxide to the coating material resulted in improved antimicrobial and antipathogenic against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria properties of the paper. According to the results, paper coated with a combination of cellulose nanofibers and zinc nanooxide was selected as the best treatment.