Advanced Biobased Nanocellulose Composites Engineered by Low-Energy Electron Beam Processing

Ecological challenges including climate change, resource scarcity, and environmental pollution highlight the urgent need for alternatives to fossil-based materials. Due to their non-biodegradability, limited availability, and high greenhouse gas emissions, fossil-derived materials are not a sustainable solution. Biobased materials offer an environmentally friendly alternative, particularly when combined with innovative process technologies: low-energy, non-thermal electron beam technology is a promising approach for solvent-free, energy-efficient engineering of biobased materials. In this study, a mechanically stable free-standing mixed nanocellulose film was developed by combining solvent casting with low-energy electron-beam crosslinking and functionalisation. The nanocellulose mixed film was manufactured by electron-beam irradiation after mixing with citric acid and coating with chitosan, both of which are biobased. The complementary material characterization by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, tensile testing, and scanning electron microscopy confirmed the successful production of the biofunctional nanocellulose mixed films with improved mechanical properties. Initial insights into the biological interactions of the nanocellulose film surface were gained by investigating the cell response with both HaCaT keratinocytes and Escherichia coli bacteria, whereby antimicrobial properties were demonstrated. The results emphasize the great potential of low-energy electron-beam technology as a sustainable tool for producing functional high-performance materials for a wide range of applications, which can significantly support future resource-efficient material development.