PREPARATION OF ECO-FRIENDLY COMPOSITE PAPER WITH GINKGO LEAF AND BIO-BASED FIBERS

Ginkgo leaf was treated with deep eutectic solvents and then mixed with bio-based fibers, willow catkins or kapok fibers as reinforcing materials to prepare ginkgo leaf composite paper. The effects of the papermaking process conditions and the proportion of ginkgo leaf on the properties of the composite paper were studied. The results showed that the properties of the composite paper were better when the proportion of ginkgo leaf was within the range of 70-90%, with a smooth surface, high strength, and flexibility, which can meet the needs of daily packaging. The higher the proportion of ginkgo leaf, the better the anti-ultraviolet property and the higher the strength. When the proportion of willow catkins or kapok fibers was higher, the water resistance and flexibility were better. Among them, when the proportion of ginkgo leaf was 90%, the ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) could reach 128, showing excellent anti-ultraviolet property. When the proportion of ginkgo leaf was 70%, the water contact angle to composite paper was 144.2°, indicating water resistance.