# Multifunctional Thermoplastic Paper Enabled by Plant‐Cell‐Derived Additives: A Paradigm of Paper‐Based “Modern Alchemy”

## TL;DR

This paper introduces a new way to make advanced, eco-friendly paper using plant-based additives that improve its strength and versatility.

## Contribution

A novel method to transform regular paper into a thermoplastic material using plant-cell-derived additives through ring-opening modification.

## Key findings

- Engineered paper exhibits ductility, wet-strength, and barrier properties.
- The paper can be reshaped via hot-pressing and is recyclable.
- Additives enable sustainable reuse and functional applications.

## Abstract

Papermaking, an ancient yet remarkable invention, hinges on the formation of a network of plant cells. With the growing demand for bio‐derived alternatives to non‐renewable resources and difficult‐to‐degrade plastics, enhancing the functional attributes of cellulosic paper is essential to broaden its applications. Here, a facile approach is introduced to upgrade conventional cellulosic paper into an advanced thermoplastic biomaterial, endowed with ductility, wet‐strength, gas and liquid barrier functionalities, and antistatic properties. The concept is grounded in the specialized area of papermaking wet‐end chemistry and chemical additives and employs plant‐cell‐derived cellulosic additives, prepared via ring‐opening‐based heterogenous chemical engineering of paper‐grade pulp with microstructurally porous cell walls comprising fibrils, which are then formed upon dissolution in an aqueous “non‐derivatizing” solvent, for engineering the paper through a process that somehow mimics the industrial surface sizing. The utilization of additives initiates a form of paper‐based “modern alchemy”, which involves the encapsulation of fibers with ring‐opening‐engineered cellulosic structures, solvent‐induced fiber annealing, bridging of interfiber gaps, film‐forming, porosity reduction, structural densification, enhanced internal bonding, paper surface smoothening, etc. The engineered paper can be facilely reshaped through hot‐pressing for 3D forming and recyclable applications. Additionally, their dissolution in a cellulosic solution yields functional additives for diverse applications, offering another avenue for recycling. This work offers insights into designing paper‐based thermoplastic materials using sustainable additives.

Building upon the concepts of papermaking wet‐end chemistry and chemical additives, this work upgrades conventional cellulosic paper into thermoplastic material using plant‐cell‐derived additives, synthesized via ring‐opening modification of pulp fibers and further disassembly into aqueous solutions as additives. Applied through surface engineering, the additives induce fiber encapsulation, annealing, densification, and enable reshaping, recyclability, and sustainable reuse.