Sustainable, Tree-Free, PLA Coated, Biodegradable, Barrier Papers from Kendir (Turkish Hemp)

In this study, hemp-based barrier papers were produced by a facile film coating route. The hemp plant was mechanically separated by crushing and breaking down the stalks. The woody hurd and fibers were separated manually. Then, cellulosic pulp was prepared by the Kraft method. Alkali treated hemp fibers were used for the paper preparation, and papers were coated with poly(lactic acid) (PLA) films. Physical, morphological, structural, wetting, mechanical properties, thermal dimensional stability, and water vapor permeability (WVP) properties were analyzed. Average hemp fiber diameter decreased by around 50% after alkali treatment. It was also found that dry and wet tensile strength values for PLA-coated hemp papers increased 3- and 2-orders of magnitudes, respectively. Also, PLA-coated hemp papers showed 0% shrinkage in the temperature range from 100°C to 200°C. WVP of PLA-coated hemp papers decreased by around 50% compared to hemp paper at the end of 300 h.