Phosphorylated Nanocellulose-Templated AgNPs in Waterborne Polyurethane Composite Films: Antibacterial, Mechanical, and Antistatic Properties

Abstract

Waterborne polyurethane (WPU) has emerged as one of the most promising environmentally friendly coating materials owing to its low volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, excellent film-forming ability, good adhesion, and versatility in formulation. However, WPU suffers from several intrinsic limitations including inadequate thermal stability, modest mechanical strength, poor flame retardancy, and a lack of inherent antibacterial activity. To address these deficiencies, phosphorylated microfibrillated cellulose (PMFC), prepared from beech wood sawdust via sequential steam explosion, phosphorylation, and superfine grinding, was employed as a substrate for in situ silver nanoparticle (AgNPs) synthesis and subsequent incorporation into WPU via aqueous blending and solvent casting. PMFC functions through a combined mechanism: the hydroxyl and phosphate groups coordinate Ag+ ions, providing nucleation sites, while the nanofibrillar network provides steric stabilization against post-synthesis aggregation. The influence of AgNPs loading (1–10 wt% relative to PMFC at a fixed 1 wt% PMFC content) on the morphology, antibacterial activity, silver release behavior, thermal stability, flame retardancy, and mechanical properties of the resulting composite films was comprehensively investigated using free-standing composite films as a model system. At the optimal Ag loading of 5 wt%, the composite exhibited strong antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli with silver release below 1.15 ppb after 96 h, while tensile strength and Young’s modulus increased by 80% and 298%, respectively, relative to neat WPU. At high Ag loadings (70–80 wt%), the composites achieved conductive-level surface resistivity (~3 log Ω) through percolation network formation, demonstrating antistatic functionality. This study provides an effective strategy for fabricating WPU composite films with combined antibacterial, mechanical reinforcement, and antistatic capabilities.