Stabilization of Beeswax-In-Water Dispersions Using Anionic Cellulose Nanofibers and Their Application in Paper Coating.

ABSTRACT: Beeswax is a bio-sourced, renewable, and even edible material that stands as a convincing option to provide paper-based food packaging with moisture resistance. Nonetheless, the difficulty of dispersing it in water limits its applicability. This work uses oxidized, negatively charged cellulose nanofibers along with glycerol to stabilize beeswax-in-water emulsions above the melting point of the wax. The synergistic effects of nanocellulose and glycerol granted the stability of the dispersion even when it cooled down, but only if the concentration of nanofibers was high enough. This required concentration (0.6-0.9 wt%) depended on the degree of oxidation of the cellulose nanofibers. Rheological hindrance was essential to prevent the buoyancy of beeswax particles, while the presence of glycer

SUBMITTER: Bayes G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10459156 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature