Preparation of antibacterial self-reinforced zinc oxide–cellulose composite by the synthesis of ZnO in partially dissolved cellulose

A novel preparation route of zinc oxide (ZnO)–cellulose composite was developed via synthesis of ZnO in partially dissolved cellulose. Filter paper was partially dissolved in zinc chloride (ZnCl2) solution. Then, the ZnO–cellulose composite was achieved when the partially dissolved cellulose was reacted with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution. Several factors affecting the ZnO content and mechanical properties of the composite were investigated. The ZnO–cellulose composite was characterized using X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Compared to the untreated paper, the ZnO–cellulose composite had high compactness. Meanwhile, its tensile strength and folding strength were improved two times and fifteen times, respectively. Cellulose fibers treated with this method had the skeleton of un-dissolved cellulose fibers, the matrix of gelled cellulose, and flower-like ZnO nanoplate on cellulose surface. In addition, the antibacterial property was identified from the ZnO–cellulose composite.