Development and Characterization of Novel Active Chitosan Films Containing Fennel and Peppermint Essential Oils

The effects of fennel essential oil (FEO) and peppermint essential oil (PEO) on chitosan-based films were evaluated in this study. The results showed that the addition of FEO and PEO slightly increased the density and thickness, while significantly decreasing the moisture content, water swelling, and solubility properties. The color values (L, a, b, ΔE and whiteness index (WI)) of the composite films containing FEO and PEO changed obviously with a tendency toward yellowness, which was beneficial in resisting food decomposition caused by ultraviolet light. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and fourier-transform-infrared (FTIR) results indicated that the addition of FEO and PEO affected the structure of the chitosan films, while the interaction between the chitosan and polyphenols in FEO and PEO established new hydrogen bonds and improved the thermal stability. The environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) illustrated that the surfaces of the composite films containing FEO and PEO were smooth, but the cross-section was rougher than in pure chitosan film. Furthermore, the composite films containing FEO and PEO exhibited prominent antioxidant activity. In short, the novel active chitosan-based films with incorporated FEO and PEO present broad application prospects in fresh-cut meat or vegetable packaging.

Download Full-text

Characterization of alkali treated flax fibres by means of FT Raman spectroscopy and environmental scanning electron microscopy

Spectrochimica Acta Part A Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy ◽

10.1016/s1386-1425(01)00697-7 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 58 (10) ◽

pp. 2271-2279 ◽

Cited By ~ 117

Author(s):

A Jähn ◽

M.W Schröder ◽

M Füting ◽

K Schenzel ◽

W Diepenbrock

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽

Raman Spectroscopy ◽

Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽

Environmental Scanning ◽

Flax Fibres ◽

Ft Raman Spectroscopy ◽

Scanning Electron ◽

Ft Raman

Download Full-text

Characterization of Thin Polymer Blend Films using ESEM – No Charging, No Staining.

MRS Proceedings ◽

10.1557/proc-707-aa10.8.1/dd11.8.1 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 707 ◽

Author(s):

Ian C. Bache ◽

Catherine M. Ramsdale ◽

D. Steve Thomas ◽

Ana-Claudia Arias ◽

J. Devin MacKenzie ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽

Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽

Environmental Scanning ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Blend Films ◽

Thin Polymer ◽

Device Applications ◽

Scanning Electron

ABSTRACTCharacterising the morphology of thin films for use in device applications requires the ability to study both the structure within the plane of the film, and also through its thickness. Environmental scanning electron microscopy has proved to be a fruitful technique for the study of such films both because contrast can be seen within the film without the need for staining (as is conventionally done for electron microscopy), and because cross-sectional images can be obtained without charging artefacts. The application of ESEM to a particular blend of relevance to photovoltaics is described.

Download Full-text

Characterization of chitosan film with cinnamon essential oil emulsion co-stabilized by ethyl-Nα-lauroyl-l-arginate hydrochloride and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin

International Journal of Biological Macromolecules ◽

10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.08.007 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Yaoyao Xu ◽

Kehong Hou ◽

Chengcheng Gao ◽

Xiao Feng ◽

Weiwei Cheng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Essential Oil ◽

Chitosan Film ◽

Oil Emulsion ◽

Cinnamon Essential Oil

Download Full-text

Preparation and characterization of polylactic acid/fenugreek essential oil/curcumin composite films for food packaging applications

International Journal of Biological Macromolecules ◽

10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.11.090 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

S. Mohan ◽

K. Panneerselvam

Keyword(s):

Essential Oil ◽

Polylactic Acid ◽

Food Packaging ◽

Composite Films

Download Full-text

Enhancing the Thermal and Mechanical Characteristics of Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)-Hemp Protein Particles (HPP) Composites

International Polymer Processing ◽

10.1515/ipp-2020-3974 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 36 (2) ◽

pp. 137-143

Author(s):

S. A. Awad

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Properties ◽

Elevated Temperatures ◽

Composite Films ◽

Tensile Tests ◽

Mechanical Analysis ◽

Decomposition Temperature ◽

Scanning Calorimetry ◽

Solution Casting Method ◽

Protein Particles

Abstract This paper aims to describe the thermal, mechanical, and surface properties of a PVA/HPP blend whereby the film was prepared using a solution casting method. The improvements in thermal and mechanical properties of HPP-based PVA composites were investigated. The characterization of pure PVA and PVA composite films included tensile tests, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results of TGA and DSC indicated that the addition of HPP increased the thermal decomposition temperature of the composites. Mechanical properties are significantly improved in PVA/HPP composites. The thermal stability of the PVA composite increased with the increase of HPP filler content. The tensile strength increased from 15.74 ± 0.72 MPa to 27.54 ± 0.45 MPa and the Young’s modulus increased from 282.51 ± 20.56 MPa to 988.69 ± 42.64 MPa for the 12 wt% HPP doped sample. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) revealed that at elevated temperatures, enhanced mechanical properties because of the presence of HPP was even more noticeable. Morphological observations displayed no signs of agglomeration of HPP fillers even in composites with high HPP loading.

Download Full-text

Acetoacetate Based Thermosets Prepared by Dual-Michael Addition Reactions

Polymers ◽

10.3390/polym11091408 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (9) ◽

pp. 1408 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Konuray ◽

Fernández-Francos ◽

Ramis ◽

Serra

Keyword(s):

Michael Addition ◽

Polymer Network ◽

Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽

Curing Kinetics ◽

Mechanical Analysis ◽

Environmental Scanning ◽

Scanning Calorimetry ◽

Divinyl Sulfone ◽

Michael Additions ◽

Dual Curing

A novel set of dual-curable multiacetoacetate-multiacrylate-divinyl sulfone ternary materials with versatile and manipulable properties are presented. In contrast to common dual-curing systems, the first stage polymer herein consists of a densely crosslinked, high Tg network as a result of base-catalyzed multiacetoacetate-divinyl sulfone Michael addition. A more flexible secondary network forms after base-catalyzed Michael addition of remaining multiacetoacetate to multiacrylate. Curing is truly sequential as the rates of the two Michael additions are significantly different. Curing kinetics were analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR). The materials at each curing stage were characterized using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and SEM. Although some phase separation was observed in certain formulations, the incompatibilities were minimized when the molar percentage of the acetoacetate-divinyl sulfone polymer network was above 75%. Furthermore, the environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) images of these materials show that the more flexible acetoacetate-acrylate phase is dispersed in the form of polymeric spheres within the rigid acetoacetate-divinyl sulfone matrix. This unique dual microstructure can potentially render these materials highly resilient in applications requiring densely crosslinked polymer architectures with enhanced toughness.

Download Full-text