Development\nof Moisture/Oil-Resistant Biocoatings\nfrom Waste Cooking Oil for Packaging Applications: Scientific Upcycling\nwith Circular Economy Potential

The excessive generation and mishandling of waste cooking\noil (WCO)\nnecessitate the need for its conversion into specialty resins and\npolymers for various applications. This work focuses on the development\nof a biocoating from WCO for paper-based packaging with improved hydrophobicity\nand moisture barrier properties. WCO was epoxidized and acrylated\nto form AWCO, subsequently characterized, and modified into a water-based\nemulsion using a poly(vinyl alcohol) solution. (Aminopropyl)triethoxysilane\nwas grafted in varying proportions to AWCO emulsion to enable cross-linking\nonto hydroxyl groups of cellulosic paper. The curing process of the\ncoated paper (∼40 gsm coating) was carried out at 130 °C\nfor 5–7 min to ensure complete cross-linking. The coated papers\nexhibited a water contact angle of greater than 90°, a kit rating\nof 12/12 along with excellent water retention and oil and ice repellency.\nWater vapor transmission rate reduction up to ∼129 g/m<sup>2</sup>·day was achieved by depicting the moisture barrier as\nwell. High glass transition temperatures (<i>T</i><sub>g</sub>) and thermal stabilities of the coatings revealed their suitability\nfor hot food packaging. The coatings most importantly depicted high\nrepulping potential and home compostability, making it a commercially\nfeasible replacement for the existing plastic liners in paper packaging.