Recent Research Progress of Polysaccharide Polymer Coatings for Improving Properties of Paper-Based Packaging Materials

With the increasing attention paid to environmental pollution, paper-based packaging materials have gradually gained favor among people. Paper-based materials are very environmentally friendly and renewable packaging materials. However, the mechanical properties and hydrophobicity of paper-based packaging materials are relatively poor, and they have high requirements for the usage environment and occasions. Therefore, the application of paper-based materials as packaging materials is greatly limited. Polysaccharide polymers, as coatings, have good biocompatibility and are environmentally friendly. They have certain potential in improving the hydrophobicity and mechanical properties of packaging materials. This review article introduces the four kinds of most used polysaccharide polymers, elaborates on their characteristics, and discusses their advantages in enhancing the performance of paper-based packaging materials. It also explores methods such as chemical modification to improve the hydrophobicity of polysaccharide polymers as coatings. Finally, this review discusses the combination of polysaccharide polymer coatings with paper-based packaging materials and provides prospects for the future.