Layer-by-layer assembly of cationic guar gum, cellulose nanocrystals and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose based multilayered composite films

Eco-friendly sustainable materials provide an appealing template to replace contemporary synthetic-nonrenewable resource-based while maintaining the acceptable material properties meet performance requirements. Here, a layer-by-layer (LBL) self-assembly technique was used for fabricating multilayer composite films using all bio-based polymers/polysaccharides, i.e. cationic guar gum (CGg), carboxylated cellulose nanocrystals (cCNCs) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC). A five layered film fabricated by depositing polymeric layers as follows: CGg→cCNCs→HPMC→cCNCs→CGg. The structural analysis of (CGg/cCNCs/HPMC)5 L multilayered indicated existence electrostatic interaction well H-bonding between that resulted in homogenous, dense compact surface with improved smoothness strength properties. As compared pure CGg film, showed tensile (84.8 % increment) modulus (29.19 improvement). Importantly, deposition HPMC layer contributed achieving more flexible behavior (46.55 improvement elongation at break). Furthermore, owing high transparency (89.5 transmittance), appreciable gas oil barrier resistance various solvents (e.g. acetone, THF DMAc), these are promising candidates applications including renewable/sustainable packaging materials.