Development and characterization of an affordable water-dispersible cellulose-based paper

Abstract

This study reports the development of a affordable, cellulose-based water-dispersible paper designed for sustainable material applications. By incorporating carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and glycerol into a cellulose matrix, a balance of mechanical properties, thermal stability, and water dispersibility was achieved. The films were characterized by color measurements, tensile tests, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, contact angle, and disintegration measurements. The results demonstrated that increasing grammage (40 to 100 g/m²) improved breaking factor (551 to 1270 N/m) and elongation (9.0 to 14 %) while maintaining stable tensile strength (mean of 4.59 MPa), highlighting the role of structural organization. The developed paper exhibited excellent water dispersibility, with SEM and FTIR analyses confirming the uniform integration of additives within the cellulose matrix. These results demonstrate the potential of additive-modified cellulose straightforward systems to produce water-dispersible paper with tunable structural and functional properties, relevant for environmentally friendly material applications.