Coaxing Polysaccharide Granules into Supramolecular Biocolloidal Additives for Papermaking

In light of developments in polysaccharide-based sustainable processes involving supramolecular interactions, we herein present our findings pertaining to coaxing polysaccharide granules into functional supramolecular biocolloids. Translucent biocolloidal dispersions containing various forms of starch are facilely designable, essentially built upon complexation between disassembled native cornstarch granules and amphiphilic ligands. Oily moieties of guest molecules are dynamically attractable into cavities of helical structures, with cationic groups pointing toward the bulk phase. This noncovalent attraction can generate core-shell biocolloidal particles. The significantly higher gelatinizability of freeze-dried biocolloids in contrast to native cornstarch granules is attributable to complex formation, and a homogenous dispersion is readily formable at room temperature. Our results also show biocolloids' ligand-related antibacterial activity. The use of biocolloids as wet-end additives for biofiber assemblies (cellulosic paper) can enhance mechanical strength, fines retention, and filler bondability. Supramolecular biocolloids with positively charged, translucent, easily gelatinizable, antibacterial, and polysaccharide-bondable functionalities would find tailo-rable use in the paper industry.