Sustainable, safe, and effective (super)hydrophobic coatings for cellulosic fiber material via alkyl ketene dimer and polysaccharide integration

Jerič, Petra (author), Golja, Barbara (author), Lavrič, Gregor (author), Teržan, Janvit (author), Verbič, Anja (author), Likozar, Blaž (author), Novak, Uroš (author)

In light of increasing environmental and regulatory restrictions on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), silicones, and other persistent synthetic hydrophobic agents, we report the development of novel biodegradable, water-based hydrophobic coatings for cellulosic fiber materials based on alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) and naturally derived polysaccharides alginate, cellulose nanofibers, starch, and agar as matrices. Coatings on the cellulosic fiber material were applied through screen printing and cured at low temperatures. The prepared coatings transformed the initially (super)hydrophilic cellulosic fibers into a hydrophobic material, with static water contact angles ranging from 126° to 153°. Application of the coatings extended water drop absorption times from immediate uptake to as long as up to 5 h, exhibiting rolling-off behavior consistent with lotus-leaf-like hydrophobicity. SEM−EDX analysis revealed well-defined microstructuring and uniform elemental distribution, confirming complete coverage of the cellulosic fibers. FTIR spectroscopy and sequential organic solvent extraction provided evidence of covalent AKD−cellulose bonding, confirming successful chemical surface modification of the substrate. The coatings demonstrated excellent durability, maintaining hydrophobic performance even after 30 laundering cycles and exhibiting resistance to chemical and mechanical stress. A synergistic effect between AKD and polysaccharides was observed and explained: while AKD imparts intrinsic hydrophobicity, the polysaccharides act as functional stabilizers and physical barriers, improving coating uniformity, adhesion, and long-term performance.

• Language: English
• Keywords: bio-based polymers, biopolymers, degradation, environmental impact, functional material properties, safe and sustainable by design, water-based hydrophobic coating, cellulosic fiber material, alkyl ketene dimer, polysaccharides, PFAS-free alternative, hydrophobicity, cellulose, textiles, carbohydrates, coating materials
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: NTF - Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2026
• Number of pages: Str. 4329–4346
• Numbering: Vol. 14, iss. 9
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-189516
• UDC: 502/504:60
• ISSN on article: 2168-0485
• DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.5c08955
• COBISS.SI-ID: 274223363
• Publication date in RUL: 08.10.2026

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: ACS sustainable chemistry & engineering
• Shortened title: ACS sustain. chem. & eng.
• Publisher: American Chemical Society
• ISSN: 2168-0485
• COBISS.SI-ID: 519846169

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: bioosnovani polimeri, biopolimeri, razgradnja, okoljski vplivi, funkcionalne lastnosti materialov, varnost, trajnost