Upcycling of Vine Shoots: Production of Fillers for PHBV-Based Biocomposite Applications

Abstract This paper aims at investigating the potential of vine shoots (ViSh) upcycling as fillers in novel poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) based biocomposites. ViSh particles of around 50 µm (apparent median diameter) were obtained combining dry grinding processes, and mixed with PHBV using melt extrusion. Thermal stability and elongation at break of biocomposites were reduced with increasing contents of ViSh particles (10, 20 and 30 wt%), while Young’s modulus and water vapor permeability were increased. It was shown that a surface gas-phase esterification allowed to significantly increase the hydrophobicity of ViSh particles (increase of water contact angles from 59° to 114°), leading to a reduction of 27% in the water vapor permeability of the biocomposite filled with 30 wt% of ViSh. The overall mechanical performance was not impacted by gas-phase esterification, demonstrating that the interfacial adhesion between the virgin ViSh particles and the PHBV matrix was already good and that such filler surface treatment was not required in that case. It was concluded that ViSh particles can be interestingly used as low cost fillers in PHBV-based biocomposites to decrease the overall cost of materials.

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Hybrid films from plant and bacterial nanocellulose: mechanical and barrier properties

Nordic Pulp & Paper Research Journal ◽

10.1515/npprj-2021-0036 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

Author(s):

Thiago Moreira Cruz ◽

Adriano Reis Prazeres Mascarenhas ◽

Mário Vanoli Scatolino ◽

Douglas Lamounier Faria ◽

Lays Camila Matos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Mechanical Properties ◽

Water Vapor ◽

Mechanical Performance ◽

Cellulose Nanofibrils ◽

Water Vapor Permeability ◽

Barrier Properties ◽

Contact Angles ◽

Vapor Permeability ◽

Hybrid Films

Abstract The accumulation of petroleum polymers compromises biodiversity and causes environmental problems. Nanocellulose enhances biodegradability and can improve the physical-mechanical performance of materials. The objective was to produce and characterize hybrid films composed of bacterial cellulose (BC) and plant nanocellulose from Eucalyptus (Euc) or Pinus (Pin). Films were produced by the casting method using filmogenic suspensions with different cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) proportions from both the sources (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 %). CNFs suspensions were characterized by transmission electron microscopy. The morphology of the films was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy. In addition, the transparency, contact angle, wettability, oil and water vapor barrier and mechanical properties were also evaluated. The contact angles were smaller for films with BC and the wettability was greater when comparing BC with plant CNFs (0.10 ° s − 1 {\text{s}^{-1}} for 75 % Euc/25 % BC and 0.20 ° s − 1 {\text{s}^{-1}} for 25 % Euc/75 % BC). The water vapor permeability (WVP) of the 100 % BC films and the 25 % Euc/75 % BC composition were the highest among the studied compositions. Tensile strength, Young’s modulus and puncture strength decreased considerably with the addition of BC in the films. More studies regarding pre-treatments to purify BC are needed to improve the mechanical properties of the films.

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Preparation and Properties of Corn Starch/Chitin Composite Films Cross-Linked by Maleic Anhydride

Polymers ◽

10.3390/polym12071606 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (7) ◽

pp. 1606

Author(s):

Peng Yin ◽

Jinglong Liu ◽

Wen Zhou ◽

Panxin Li

Keyword(s):

Maleic Anhydride ◽

Corn Starch ◽

Composite Films ◽

Water Vapor Permeability ◽

Contact Angles ◽

Vapor Permeability ◽

Water Contact ◽

Elongation At Break ◽

Shrimp Shell ◽

Starch Films

To improve the functional properties of starch-based films, chitin (CH) was prepared from shrimp shell powder and incorporated into corn starch (CS) matrix. Before blending, maleic anhydride (MA) was introduced as a cross-linker. Composite CS/MA-CH films were obtained by casting-evaporation approach. Mechanical property estimation showed that addition of 0–7 wt % MA-CH improved the tensile strength of starch films from 3.89 MPa to 9.32 MPa. Elongation at break of the films decreased with the addition of MA-CH, but the decrease was obviously reduced than previous studies. Morphology analysis revealed that MA-CH homogeneously dispersed in starch matrix and no cracks were found in the CS/MA-CH films. Incorporation of MA-CH decreased the water vapor permeability of starch films. The water uptake of the films was reduced when the dosage of MA-CH was below 5 wt %. Water contact angles of the starch films increased from 22° to 86° with 9 wt % MA-CH incorporation. Besides, the composite films showed better inhibition effect against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus than pure starch films.

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Antibacterial and biological properties of coconut oil loaded poly(ε-caprolactone)/gelatin electrospun membranes

Journal of Industrial Textiles ◽

10.1177/1528083721991595 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 152808372199159 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Parian S Mohamadi ◽

Ahmad Hivechi ◽

Hajir Bahrami ◽

Nahid hemmatinegad ◽

Peiman B Milan

Keyword(s):

Antibacterial Activity ◽

Water Vapor ◽

Coconut Oil ◽

Water Vapor Permeability ◽

Biological Properties ◽

Morphological Properties ◽

Vapor Permeability ◽

Crosslinking Reaction ◽

Water Contact ◽

Bio Oil

Coconut oil (CO) is a naturally derived bio-oil which exhibits specific characteristics such as biocompatibility and antibacterial activity. In this work, the biological properties of poly(caprolactone)/gelatin (PCL/Gel) nanofibers are improved using CO encapsulation. This bio-oil was added to the PCL/Gel polymer solution with different concentrations (5–40%). Nanofibers were crosslinked using glutaraldehyde vapor. Different types of characterization techniques such as SEM, FTIR, DSC, tensile measurements, water contact angle, and water vapor permeability were used to study the chemical, physical, thermal, and morphological properties of resultant nanofibers. Results showed an average diameter of 300–370 nm for as-spun nanofibers, which increased to 360–470 nm after the crosslinking reaction. The presence of CO was confirmed using FTIR and DSC experiments. Moreover, results indicated that the presence of CO increases the hydrophilicity and water vapor permeability of nanofibers, which are desirable for their final application. Biological tests, such as antibacterial activity, cell viability, and cell morphology tests were performed to evaluate the possible application of the produced nanofibers for wound healing applications. Results indicated that the crosslinked PCL/Gel nanofibers containing 20% CO exhibited the highest cell compatibility and antibacterial activity against gram-positive (S. aureus) and gram-negative ( E. coli) bacteria.

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Effect of Drying Temperature in Biopolymeric Films of Cassava Starch and its Effect on Wettability, Water Vapor Barrier and Mechanical Properties

Materials Science Forum ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/msf.930.270 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 930 ◽

pp. 270-275 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Victor Rafael Leal Oliveira ◽

M.K.S. Monteiro ◽

F.K.G. Santos ◽

R.H.L. Leite ◽

E.M.M. Aroucha

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Properties ◽

Water Vapor ◽

Structural Changes ◽

High Efficiency ◽

Low Cost ◽

Water Vapor Permeability ◽

Cassava Starch ◽

Life Extension ◽

Vapor Permeability ◽

Drying Time

Coating technologies with biopolymeric films of low cost and high efficiency are effective in maintaining the chemical and sensory characteristics and shelf-life extension of several fruits.Films of cassava starch/glycerol were synthesized at different temperature and time conditions (25oC / 60h, 40oC / 5h, 60oC / 3h and 80oC / 2h) in order to decrease the drying time of the filmogenic solutions.SEM analysis (scanning electron microscopy), WVP (water vapor permeability), wettability and mechanical properties were evaluated in order to identify morphological and structural changes in the polymeric matrix in different conditions.Changes in temperature and drying time significantly reduced the roughness and affected the barrier characteristics, effectively improving tensile strength. A reduction of more than 90% in the drying time was identified.

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Elucidating the Relationship Between Structure and Property of Waterborne Polyurethane-Cellulose Nanocrystals Nanocomposite Films

Science of Advanced Materials ◽

10.1166/sam.2020.3767 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (8) ◽

pp. 1213-1224

Author(s):

Ya-Yu Li ◽

Wei-Wen Jing ◽

Jian-Hua Wang ◽

Jun-Fang Li

Keyword(s):

Water Vapor ◽

Cellulose Nanocrystals ◽

Food Packaging ◽

Mechanical Performance ◽

Water Vapor Permeability ◽

Waterborne Polyurethane ◽

Optical Transmittance ◽

Nanocomposite Films ◽

Vapor Permeability ◽

Casting Technique

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are promising polymer reinforcements owning to their biocompatibility and high elastic modulus, low density, nano size, and inherent biocompatibility. The waterborne polyurethane-cellulose nanocrystals (WPU-CNCs) nanocomposite films were prepared using the conventional solvent casting technique over a whole composition. The mechanical performance, optical transmittance, amphiphilicity, water vapor permeability (WVP), and oxygen permeability (OP) of these WPU-CNCs films were evaluated. The incorporation of CNCs into WPU resulted in a significant enhancement of Young's modulus and tensile strength. The WVP of nanocomposite films had a lowest value at CNCs content of 50 wt.%. Upon the increase of CNCs content from 0 to 90 wt.%, the transmission path of oxygen molecular through the nanocomposite films became more tortuous, leading to drastic decrease in the OP. These WPU-CNCs nanocomposite films with high strength, optical transparency, water vapor and oxygen barrier properties have the potential applications in biomedical, furniture coating, and food packaging fields.

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Physico-Mechanical and Antibacterial Properties of PLA/TiO2 Composite Materials Synthesized via Electrospinning and Solution Casting Processes

Coatings ◽

10.3390/coatings9080525 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. 525 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Shiyi Feng ◽

Feng Zhang ◽

Saeed Ahmed ◽

Yaowen Liu

Keyword(s):

Water Vapor ◽

Food Packaging ◽

Water Solubility ◽

Antibacterial Properties ◽

Water Vapor Permeability ◽

Vapor Permeability ◽

Solution Casting ◽

Water Contact ◽

E Coli ◽

Composites Materials

In this study, PLA/TiO2 composites materials were prepared via electrospinning and solution casting processes. By testing the mechanical properties, water contact angle, water vapor permeability, and solubility of the composite nanofibers and films, the comprehensive performances of the two types of nanocomposites were analyzed. The results show that maximum tensile strengths of 2.71 ± 0.11 MPa and 14.49 ± 0.13 MPa were achieved for the nanofibers and films at a TiO2 content of 0.75 wt.%. Moreover, the addition of TiO2 significantly cut down the water vapor transmittance rate of the nanofibers and films while significantly improving the water solubility. Further, the antibacterial activity increased under UV-A irradiation for a TiO2 nanoparticle content of 0.75 wt.%, and the nanofiber and films exhibited inhibition zones of 4.86 ± 0.50 and 3.69 ± 0.40 mm for E. coli, and 5.98 ± 0.77 and 4.63 ± 0.45 mm for S. aureus, respectively. Overall, the performance of the nanofiber was better than that of the film. Nevertheless, both the nanocomposite membranes satisfied the requirements of food packaging materials.

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Curcumin-Loaded Bacterial Cellulose/Alginate/Gelatin as A Multifunctional Biopolymer Composite Film

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules25173800 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 25 (17) ◽

pp. 3800 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Nadda Chiaoprakobkij ◽

Thapanar Suwanmajo ◽

Neeracha Sanchavanakit ◽

Muenduen Phisalaphong

Keyword(s):

Oral Cancer ◽

Bacterial Cellulose ◽

Wound Care ◽

Artificial Saliva ◽

Water Vapor Permeability ◽

Contact Angles ◽

Vapor Permeability ◽

Sem Images ◽

Water Contact

Multifunctional biopolymer composites comprising mechanically-disintegrated bacterial cellulose, alginate, gelatin and curcumin plasticized with glycerol were successfully fabricated through a simple, facile, cost-effective mechanical blending and casting method. SEM images indicate a well-distributed structure of the composites. The water contact angles existed in the range of 50–70°. Measured water vapor permeability values were 300–800 g/m2/24 h, which were comparable with those of commercial dressing products. No release of curcumin from the films was observed during the immersion in PBS and artificial saliva, and the fluid uptakes were in the range of 100–700%. Films were stretchable and provided appropriate stiffness and enduring deformation. Hydrated films adhered firmly onto the skin. In vitro mucoadhesion time was found in the range of 0.5–6 h with porcine mucosa as model membrane under artificial saliva medium. The curcumin-loaded films had substantial antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus. The films showed non-cytotoxicity to human keratinocytes and human gingival fibroblasts but exhibited potent anticancer activity in oral cancer cells. Therefore, these curcumin-loaded films showed their potential for use as leave-on skin applications. These versatile films can be further developed to achieve desirable characteristics for local topical patches for wound care, periodontitis and oral cancer treatment.

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Chitosan-based films reinforced with cellulose nanofibrils isolated from Euterpe oleraceae MART

Polymers from Renewable Resources ◽

10.1177/20412479211008747 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1-2) ◽

pp. 46-59

Author(s):

DG Braga ◽

PGF Bezerra ◽

ABFD Lima ◽

HA Pinheiro ◽

LG Gomes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Tensile Strength ◽

Water Vapor ◽

Modulus Of Elasticity ◽

Water Solubility ◽

Mechanical Performance ◽

Cellulose Nanofibrils ◽

Water Vapor Permeability ◽

Vapor Permeability ◽

Water Vapor Absorption ◽

Bionanocomposite Films

The use of local raw materials for the production of biodegradable films can simultaneously contribute to the development of the Amazon and global sustainability. This work aimed to evaluate the physical and mechanical performance of chitosan-based bionanocomposite films reinforced with different loads of cellulose nanofibrils obtained from açaí ( Euterpe oleraceae Mart.) under two nanofibrillation degrees. Nanofibrils were obtained by 3 and 21 passages in a grinder defibrillator. The films were produced by casting with nanofibril reinforcement at 5 wt.%, 10 wt.%, 15 wt.%, and 20 wt.%. The increase in the nanofibril level and nanofibrillation degree reduced water vapor absorption (75.20% to 51.93%), water solubility (28.33% to 17.91%), and density (0.87 g.cm−3 to 0.61 g.cm−3). The water vapor permeability decreased with higher nanofibril loads for both 3-pass (47.30% to 43.61%) and 21-pass (49.82% to 44.48%) reinforced films, but not with nanofibrillation degree. The increase in 3-pass nanofibril level decreased tensile strength (8.18 MPa to 7.88 MPa), modulus of elasticity (867.62 MPa to 670.02 MPa) and elongation at break (0.02 mm.mm−1 to 0.01 mm.mm−1). However, the opposite effect happened to 21-pass nanofibrils, with increases from 9.16 MPa to 9.73 MPa and from 502.00 MPa to 1119.62 MPa for tensile strength and modulus of elasticity, respectively. Meanwhile, the maximum elongation at rupture did not vary. It was concluded that chitosan-based bionanocomposite films reinforced with 20 wt.% of 21-pass nanofibril were more resistant, except for water vapor permeability. Adding coarser nanofibrils enhanced this property. The 3-pass nanofibrils reinforcement enables water solubility, which benefits other packaging applications.

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Preparation and Characterization of a Novel Poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene)/Poly(ethersulfone) Blend Membrane Fabricated Using an Innovative Method of Mixing Electrospinning and Phase Inversion

Polymers ◽

10.3390/polym13050790 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 790

Author(s):

Norhan Nady ◽

Noha Salem ◽

Sherif. H. Kandil

Keyword(s):

Contact Angle ◽

Water Vapor ◽

Phase Inversion ◽

Vinylidene Fluoride ◽

Water Vapor Permeability ◽

Vapor Permeability ◽

Water Contact ◽

Static Water Contact Angle ◽

Poly Vinylidene Fluoride ◽

Static Water

In this work, a novel polymeric membrane was innovated in terms of composition and preparation techniques. A blend of poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PcH) and poly(ethersulfone) (PES) (18 wt.% total polymer concentration) was prepared using a N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) and N, N-Dimethylformamide (DMF) solvents mixture, while Lithium chloride (0.05–0.5 wt.%) was used as an additive. The electrospinning and phase inversion techniques were used together to obtain a novel membrane structure. The prepared membranes were characterized using scanning electron microscope imaging, energy dispersive X-Ray, differential scanning calorimeter, thermogravimetric analysis, and Fourier transfer infrared spectroscopy-attenuated total reflectance analyses. Moreover, the static water contact angle, membrane thickness, porosity, surface roughness as well as water vapor permeability were determined. ImageJ software was used to estimate the average fiber diameter. Additionally, the effect of the change of PcH concentration and coagulation bath temperature on the properties of the fabricated membrane was studied. The novel developed membrane has shown a good efficiency in terms of properties and features, as a membrane suitable for membrane distillation (MD); a high porosity (84.4% ± 0.6), hydrophobic surface (136.39° ± 3.1 static water contact angle), and a water vapor permeability of around 4.37 × 10−5 g·m/m2·day·Pa were obtained. The prepared membrane can be compared to the MD membranes commercially available in terms of properties and economic value.

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Synthesis of Silphenylene-Containing Siloxane Resins Exhibiting Strong Hydrophobicity and High Water Vapor Barriers

Coatings ◽

10.3390/coatings9080481 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. 481

Author(s):

Chen ◽

Yi ◽

Wu ◽

Tan ◽

Xu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Contact Angle ◽

Water Vapor ◽

Water Contact Angle ◽

Water Vapor Permeability ◽

Barrier Properties ◽

High Water ◽

Vapor Permeability ◽

One Pot ◽

Water Contact ◽

Thermal Stabilities

The novel phenylenedisilane, 1,4-bis(dimethoxyphenylsilyl)benzene (BDMPD), was successfully synthesized via the reaction between trimethoxyphenylsilane (TMPS) and a Grignard reagent originating from 1,4-dibromobenzene. In comparison to common Grignard reactions, this process was a facile one-pot method. 1H NMR spectroscopy, FT-IR measurements, and elemental analysis confirmed the predicted structure of BDMPD. In addition, vinyl-terminated polysiloxanes containing silphenylene units (VPSSP), which were hydrolytically copolymerized from BDMPD, TMPS, and divinyltetramethyldisiloxane, exhibited excellent thermal stabilities (T10%: 502 °C, Rw%: 76.86 beyond 700 °C) and suitable refractive indices (1.542). Furthermore, water contact angle and water vapor permeability tests confirmed that the fully cured siloxane resins containing VPSSP-based silphenylene units exhibited strong hydrophobicity (water contact angle: 119°) and superior water vapor barrier properties, thereby indicating their potential to serve as strong waterproof coatings for moisture-proof applications or as adhesives for use in immersed equipment.

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