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Improving hydrophobicity and mechanical strength of rice straw paper using chitosan nanoparticles and beeswax coatings

  • Durairaj Jansirani ORCID logo EMAIL logo , Sundararajan Aswini , Sivagurusamy Subathira and Muthiah Indiraleka
Published/Copyright: July 29, 2025
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Nordic Pulp & Paper Research Journal
From the journal Nordic Pulp & Paper Research Journal Volume 40 Issue 4

Abstract

Hydrophobic paper bags are gaining popularity as a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional packaging materials. This study focuses on the development of hydrophobic paper bags from rice straw, a major agricultural waste. The pulp was prepared by boiling the straw with sodium hydroxide, followed by grinding and molding into paper sheets. Chitosan nanoparticles (CNP) were synthesized via the ionic gelation method and applied as a coating on the rice straw paper. Beeswax was then used as a secondary coating. The resulting paper sheets were evaluated for thickness, mechanical properties, thermal stability, and hydrophobicity. The results showed that CNP and beeswax-coated papers were significantly thicker than their non-coated paper. Mechanical testing demonstrated improvements in tensile strength and elongation at break for the coated papers, with the highest values observed in CNP and beeswax-coated samples. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy confirmed the successful integration of chitosan and beeswax into the paper matrix. Scanning Electron Microscopy images revealed enhanced smoothness and binding capacity in the coated papers. Thermal analysis indicated that CNP and beeswax-coated papers exhibited superior thermal stability compared to non-coated papers. Hydrophobicity tests confirmed that the CNP and beeswax-coated papers had excellent water resistance and self-cleaning properties, while heat sensitivity tests showed that the wax coating remained stable up to 50 °C. However, neither the CNP-coated nor the CNP with beeswax-coated papers exhibited a zone of inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These findings suggest that paper coating with CNP and beeswax significantly improves its physical, mechanical properties and hydrophobic properties.

Keywords: hydrophobic paper; rice straw; chitosan nanoparticles; beeswax; packaging material
Corresponding author: Durairaj Jansirani, Department of Biotechnology, P.S.R. Engineering College, Sivakasi, 626140, India, E-mail:
Explanation for the change in the author list in the revised manuscript: Indiraleka mam contributed significantly to the revised version, so included her in the authorship, while limiting the authorship to apply for the Anna university supervisor. Four authors should be there in a research article for guideship. We have received consent from the removed authors.

  1. Research ethics: Not applicable.

  2. Informed consent: Yes.

  3. Author contributions: All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.

  4. Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: No.

  5. Conflict of interest: All authors state that no conflict of interest.

  6. Research funding: None declared.

  7. Data availability: Based on the request, the data will be shared.

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Received: 2024-04-29
Accepted: 2025-06-19
Published Online: 2025-07-29
Published in Print: 2025-12-17

© 2025 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Frontmatter
  2. Chemical Pulping
  3. Alkali-extracted spruce bark residues for pulping and making of pulp sheets
  4. Applications of cationic bamboo fibers for the effective reinforcements of secondary fibers
  5. Paper Technology
  6. Improving hydrophobicity and mechanical strength of rice straw paper using chitosan nanoparticles and beeswax coatings
  7. Extended wet pressing at elevated temperature enables enhanced dewatering for tissue and linerboard
  8. Tissue paper from cabbage leaf – waste paper mixtures
  9. Inhibition of hornification in simao pine fibers and recycled paper with different beating degrees by microwave expansion treatment
  10. Preparation of mycelium paper sheets and study on their adsorption properties
  11. Paper Physics
  12. Influence of the hybrid effect on the mechanical properties of pulp molds
  13. Paper Chemistry
  14. Response surface methodology optimization and anti-age properties in paper protection of carboxymethyl cellulose grafted with β –cyclodextrin
  15. Printing
  16. Green innovations in natural paper ink: trends, applications, and future prospects
  17. Packaging
  18. Advanced moisture strategy for expanded formability in paper-based packaging
  19. Production of packaging paper from Populus deltoides NSSC pulp reinforced with rice straw cellulose nanofibrils
  20. Environmental Impact
  21. Treatment of regenerated papermaking wastewater by sequencing batch moving bed biofilm reactor and kinetics study
https://doi.org/10.1515/npprj-2024-0035
Keywords for this article
hydrophobic paper; rice straw; chitosan nanoparticles; beeswax; packaging material

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Frontmatter
  2. Chemical Pulping
  3. Alkali-extracted spruce bark residues for pulping and making of pulp sheets
  4. Applications of cationic bamboo fibers for the effective reinforcements of secondary fibers
  5. Paper Technology
  6. Improving hydrophobicity and mechanical strength of rice straw paper using chitosan nanoparticles and beeswax coatings
  7. Extended wet pressing at elevated temperature enables enhanced dewatering for tissue and linerboard
  8. Tissue paper from cabbage leaf – waste paper mixtures
  9. Inhibition of hornification in simao pine fibers and recycled paper with different beating degrees by microwave expansion treatment
  10. Preparation of mycelium paper sheets and study on their adsorption properties
  11. Paper Physics
  12. Influence of the hybrid effect on the mechanical properties of pulp molds
  13. Paper Chemistry
  14. Response surface methodology optimization and anti-age properties in paper protection of carboxymethyl cellulose grafted with β –cyclodextrin
  15. Printing
  16. Green innovations in natural paper ink: trends, applications, and future prospects
  17. Packaging
  18. Advanced moisture strategy for expanded formability in paper-based packaging
  19. Production of packaging paper from Populus deltoides NSSC pulp reinforced with rice straw cellulose nanofibrils
  20. Environmental Impact
  21. Treatment of regenerated papermaking wastewater by sequencing batch moving bed biofilm reactor and kinetics study
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