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Abstract

Boosting Biobased Content in PVOH Films: Comparative Thermo-Mechanical Performance of Lignin and Nanocelluloses as Reinforcements †

by
Jorge Hurtado
1,2,
John Williams
3,
Göksu Cinar Ciftci
4 and
Rosana Moriana
1,4,*
1
Research Group in Materials Technology and Sustainability (MATS), Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, Universitat de València, Av. Universitat s/n, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
2
Laboratorio Nacional de Desarrollo y Aseguramiento de la Calidad de Biocombustibles (LaNDACBio), Centro Mexicano para la Producción más Limpia, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Av. Acueducto s/n, Col. La Laguna Ticomán, Ciudad de México 07340, Mexico
3
Aquapak Polymers, Hollymoor Point, Hollymoor Way, Rubery, Birmingham B31 5HE, UK
4
Department of Materials and Surface Chemistry, Bioeconomy and Health Division, RISE-Research Institute of Sweden, Box 5604, SE-114 86 Stockholm, Sweden
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
Presented at the 3rd International Online Conference on Polymer Science, 19–21 November 2025; Available online: https://sciforum.net/event/IOCPS2025.
Proceedings 2026, 136(1), 62; https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2026136062
Published: 14 November 2025
(This article belongs to the Proceedings of The 3rd International Online Conference on Polymer Science)
Versions Notes

The transition to a circular economy in packaging has become a strategic priority due to increasing regulatory pressure and environmental awareness. The use of bio-based and degradable, and/or recycled materials contributes to the development of sustainable, circular material flows. This has driven research into incorporating renewable components into polymer systems. Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH)—a water-soluble synthetic polymer with excellent film-forming properties—is particularly suitable for such enhancements due to its compatibility with natural additives.
In this study, we investigated the thermo-mechanical performance of PVOH films reinforced separately with lignin and nanocelluloses to assess their effectiveness in improving thermo-mechanical properties and increasing overall bio-based content.
PVOH composite films were prepared by solvent casting with varying loadings (5%, 10%, 20%) of lignin and nanocellulose. Hydropol™ PVOH was provided by Aquapack Polymers (Birmingham, United Kingdom). Organosolv lignin was extracted from Jartropha Curcas L. seed coats, while enzymatic cellulose nanofibrils were obtained from bleached kraft pulp. Mechanical and thermal properties were evaluated using tensile testing and thermal analysis (DSC, TGA).
Results showed that 5% loading of both reinforcements improved the mechanical strength and thermal stability of PVOH films. Nanocellulose provided greater increase in tensile strength and modulus due to its high aspect ratio and strong hydrogen bonding with the PVOH. In contrast, lignin improved thermal stability while preserving the film’s flexibility, likely due to its aromatic, amorphous structure.
These findings reveal distinct reinforcement mechanisms, highlighting the potential for tailored material design based on specific performance needs. Overall, lignin and nanocellulose are promising sustainable reinforcements for PVOH films, advancing the development of high-performance, bio-based polymer composites.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, R.M.; methodology, R.M., G.C.C. and J.W.; formal analysis, G.C.C. and J.H.; writing-original draft preparation, R.M. and J.H.; writing-review and editing, G.C.C., J.W. and R.M.; supervision, R.M.; project administration, J.W. and R.M.; funding acquisition, J.W. and R.M. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research was funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033, by European Union “NextGenerationEU”/PRTR through Grant RYC2021-034380-I. The authors declare that this study received funding from Aquapak Polymers. The funder had the following involvement with the study: the study design, the writing of this article and the decision to submit it for publication.

Institutional Review Board Statement

Not applicable.

Informed Consent Statement

Not applicable.

Data Availability Statement

The data presented in this study are available on request from the corresponding author.

Conflicts of Interest

Author John Williams was employed by the company Aquapak Polymers. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
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Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Hurtado, J.; Williams, J.; Ciftci, G.C.; Moriana, R. Boosting Biobased Content in PVOH Films: Comparative Thermo-Mechanical Performance of Lignin and Nanocelluloses as Reinforcements. Proceedings 2026, 136, 62. https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2026136062

AMA Style

Hurtado J, Williams J, Ciftci GC, Moriana R. Boosting Biobased Content in PVOH Films: Comparative Thermo-Mechanical Performance of Lignin and Nanocelluloses as Reinforcements. Proceedings. 2026; 136(1):62. https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2026136062

Chicago/Turabian Style

Hurtado, Jorge, John Williams, Göksu Cinar Ciftci, and Rosana Moriana. 2026. "Boosting Biobased Content in PVOH Films: Comparative Thermo-Mechanical Performance of Lignin and Nanocelluloses as Reinforcements" Proceedings 136, no. 1: 62. https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2026136062

APA Style

Hurtado, J., Williams, J., Ciftci, G. C., & Moriana, R. (2026). Boosting Biobased Content in PVOH Films: Comparative Thermo-Mechanical Performance of Lignin and Nanocelluloses as Reinforcements. Proceedings, 136(1), 62. https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2026136062

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