Fabrication of sustainable, antibacterial, and water-stable paper-based materials from kapok fiber, carboxymethyl cellulose and cationic starch for disposable hygiene products.

Natural paper-based materials are desirable candidate materials for disposable hygiene products due to their environmental sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and biodegradability. However, their practical application is often hindered by poor water stability and limited functional properties. In this study, we developed a wet-laid web formation and hot-pressing technique to produce porous, layered paper-based materials with high porosity, flexibility, water stability, and antibacterial properties. These materials were created using naturally derived components, including kapok fiber, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and cationic starch (CS). The synergistic interaction between CMC and CS significantly enhances the mechanical properties and water stability, achieving a 146.09 % improvement compared to materials without CMC/CS. The resulting paper-based materials also exhibit water stability for up to 30 days. Kapok fibers contribute excellent antimicrobial properties, with >95 % inhibition of both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Furthermore, the materials are biodegradable in soil, completely degrading after 60 days. This study provides novel insights into the valorization of kapok fiber and presents a sustainable approach to producing high-performance paper-based materials for disposable hygiene products applications.