Properties and Characterization of Lignin Nanoparticles Functionalized in Macroalgae Biopolymer Films

The demand for bioplastic material for industrial applications is increasing. However, moisture absorption and low mechanical strength have limited the use of bioplastic in commercial-scale applications. Macroalgae is no exception to these challenges of bioplastics. In this study, Kappaphycus alvarezii macroalgae were reinforced with lignin nanoparticles. Lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) were used as a filler to reduce the brittleness and hydrophilic nature of macroalgae (matrix). Lignin nanofiller was produced using a green approach from black liquor of soda pulping waste and purified. The physical, mechanical, morphological, structural, thermal, and water barrier properties of LNPs with and without the purification process in macroalgae films were studied. The bioplastic films' functional properties, such as physical, mechanical, thermal, and water barrier properties, were significantly improved by incorporating purified and unpurified LNPs. However, the purified LNPs have a greater reinforcement effect on the macroalgae than unpurified LNPs. In this study, bioplastic film with 5% purified LNPs presented the optimum enhancement on almost all the functional properties. The enhancement is attributed to high compatibility due to strong interfacial interaction between the nanofiller and matrix. The developed LNPs/macroalgae bioplastic films can provide additional benefits and solutions to various industrial applications, especially packaging material.

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Functional Nanocellulose, Alginate and Chitosan Nanocomposites Designed as Active Film Packaging Materials

Polymers ◽

10.3390/polym13152523 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (15) ◽

pp. 2523

Author(s):

Gregor Lavrič ◽

Ana Oberlintner ◽

Inese Filipova ◽

Uroš Novak ◽

Blaž Likozar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Contact Angle ◽

Food Packaging ◽

Moisture Absorption ◽

Mechanical Performance ◽

Transmission Rate ◽

Barrier Properties ◽

Good Alternative ◽

Bacterial Nanocellulose ◽

Water Barrier ◽

And Function

The aim of the study was to characterize and compare films made of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), nano-fibrils (CNF), and bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) in combination with chitosan and alginate in terms of applicability for potential food packaging applications. In total, 25 different formulations were made and evaluated, and seven biopolymer films with the best mechanical performance (tensile strength, strain)—alginate, alginate with 5% CNC, chitosan, chitosan with 3% CNC, BNC with and without glycerol, and CNF with glycerol—were selected and investigated regarding morphology (SEM), density, contact angle, surface energy, water absorption, and oxygen and water barrier properties. Studies revealed that polysaccharide-based films with added CNC are the most suitable for packaging purposes, and better dispersing of nanocellulose in chitosan than in alginate was observed. Results showed an increase in hydrophobicity (increase of contact angle and reduced moisture absorption) of chitosan and alginate films with the addition of CNC, and chitosan with 3% CNC had the highest contact angle, 108 ± 2, and 15% lower moisture absorption compared to pure chitosan. Overall, the ability of nanocellulose additives to preserve the structure and function of chitosan and alginate materials in a humid environment was convincingly demonstrated. Barrier properties were improved by combining the biopolymers, and water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) was reduced by 15–45% and oxygen permeability (OTR) up to 45% by adding nanocellulose compared to single biopolymer formulations. It was concluded that with a good oxygen barrier, a water barrier that is comparable to PLA, and good mechanical properties, biopolymer films would be a good alternative to conventional plastic packaging used for ready-to-eat foods with short storage time.

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Radial Water Barrier in Submarine Cables, Current Solutions and Innovative Development Directions

Energies ◽

10.3390/en14102761 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (10) ◽

pp. 2761

Author(s):

Leszek Resner ◽

Sandra Paszkiewicz

Keyword(s):

Moisture Absorption ◽

Wind Farms ◽

High Moisture ◽

Water Barrier ◽

Operational Factors ◽

New Challenges ◽

Submarine Cables ◽

Further Development ◽

Lead Aluminium

With wind turbines increasing in size, installed at greater distances from the mainland, and greater depths, submarine cables are facing new challenges. Materials and technologies used so far for the production of submarine cables with lead, aluminium, or copper sheaths make them unsuitable or even obsolete for modern solutions such as floating wind farms. The article discusses types of submarine cables, their construction, working conditions, and operational factors, with emphasis placed on the role of the radial water barrier. The focus has been placed on dry and semi-dry designs. The article is also devoted to a discussion regarding directions of further development, possible materials, and constructions that may appear in the future. Current research and results regarding the use of multi-layer coatings with the use of thermoplastic block copolymers for the layer with high moisture absorption are also presented.

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Novel Whey Protein Isolate/Polyvinyl Biocomposite for Packaging: Improvement of Mechanical and Water Barrier Properties by Incorporation of Nano-silica

Journal of Polymers and the Environment ◽

10.1007/s10924-020-02033-x ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Bruna Rage Baldone Lara ◽

Paulo Sérgio de Andrade ◽

Mario Guimarães Junior ◽

Marali Vilela Dias ◽

Lizzy Ayra Pereira Alcântara

Keyword(s):

Whey Protein ◽

Barrier Properties ◽

Whey Protein Isolate ◽

Protein Isolate ◽

Nano Silica ◽

Water Barrier

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Multifunctional hydrolyzed EVA membranes with tunable microstructure and water barrier properties

Journal of Membrane Science ◽

10.1016/j.memsci.2015.01.008 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 480 ◽

pp. 93-103 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Jorge A. Soto Puente ◽

Kateryna Fatyeyeva ◽

Stéphane Marais ◽

Eric Dargent

Keyword(s):

Barrier Properties ◽

Water Barrier

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Effect of Thickness on the Water-Barrier Properties of Silane Films

The Journal of Physical Chemistry C ◽

10.1021/jp075023f ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 111 (42) ◽

pp. 15325-15330 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Guirong Pan ◽

Erik Watkins ◽

Jaroslaw Majewski ◽

Dale W. Schaefer

Keyword(s):

Barrier Properties ◽

Water Barrier

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Physical, mechanical and water barrier properties of yuba films incorporated with various types of additives

Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture ◽

10.1002/jsfa.9490 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 99 (6) ◽

pp. 2808-2817 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Nayeon Kim ◽

Eunsung Seo ◽

Yookyung Kim

Keyword(s):

Barrier Properties ◽

Water Barrier

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The Study of Chitosan Solution Coating on Water Barrier Property of Seedling Paper Bag Made from Water Hyacinth

Materials Science Forum ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/msf.1047.97 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1047 ◽

pp. 97-102

Author(s):

Nattanicha Khamsao ◽

Kornkamon Waengwan ◽

Sunisorn Konchai ◽

Poonnapat Patthong ◽

Bpantamars Phadungchob ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Water Hyacinth ◽

Aquatic Plant ◽

Water Resistance ◽

Low Cost ◽

Hydrophobic Surface ◽

Chitosan Solution ◽

Barrier Properties ◽

Water Contact ◽

Water Barrier ◽

Spraying Method

Seedling bags are low cost and light weight containers used by farmers to germinate and sprout seeds into seedlings before transplanting into the ground. However, cutting and removing seedling bags before the transplantation can damage the plant roots and cause losses in their productivity. In addition, plastics used in conventional seedling bags contribute to more plastic waste during this process. This study offers a solution to these problems with alternative biodegradable materials; i.e. modified papers made from an invasive alien aquatic plant species—water hyacinth—and enhanced with Chitosan solution coating. Papers were made from water hyacinth and dipped or sprayed with Chitosan solution in acetic acid at concentrations of 1% wt., 1.5% wt., and 2% wt. The dipping method showed better water barrier properties than the spraying method in every concentration, with 2% wt. concentration having the best barrier properties. The 2% wt. concentration of Chitosan coating by dipping method changed the water contact angle of the water hyacinth paper from a hydrophilic to a hydrophobic surface. This enhancement in water resistance was confirmed by water absorption time, which reached over 1.5 hours—3 times longer than the spraying method.

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Development of Waterproof Papers from Water Hyacinth Fibers Modified by Polylactide

Materials Science Forum ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/msf.1015.89 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 1015 ◽

pp. 89-93

Author(s):

Thitipong Wutisart

Keyword(s):

Water Absorption ◽

Cross Section ◽

Water Hyacinth ◽

Barrier Properties ◽

Hydrophobic Properties ◽

Sem Images ◽

Water Barrier

Paper made from water hyacinth which was modified by PLA solvent coating and the PLA content were varied for finding the most appropriate content. The SEM images of both surface and cross section were carried out for showing the interaction between the water hyacinth paper and PLA film. The water barrier properties of PLA content at 0.4 % (W/V) and 0.6 % (W/V) showed the hydrophobic properties of water hyacinth paper. The modified water hyacinth paper could resist water being indicated by water absorption which was over 90 minute/5µL in any PLA content.

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Broadband Dielectric Spectroscopy Study of Biobased Poly(alkylene 2,5-furanoate)s’ Molecular Dynamics

Polymers ◽

10.3390/polym12061355 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (6) ◽

pp. 1355 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Michelina Soccio ◽

Daniel E. Martínez-Tong ◽

Giulia Guidotti ◽

Beatriz Robles-Hernández ◽

Andrea Munari ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Molecular Dynamics ◽

Dielectric Spectroscopy ◽

Relaxation Times ◽

Barrier Properties ◽

Polymer Processing ◽

Industrial Applications ◽

Structure Property ◽

Property Relations ◽

Broadband Dielectric Spectroscopy ◽

Segmental Relaxation

Poly(2,5-alkylene furanoate)s are bio-based, smart, and innovative polymers that are considered the most promising materials to replace oil-based plastics. These polymers can be synthesized using ecofriendly approaches, starting from renewable sources, and result into final products with properties comparable and even better than those presented by their terephthalic counterparts. In this work, we present the molecular dynamics of four 100% bio-based poly(alkylene 2,5-furanoate)s, using broadband dielectric spectroscopy measurements that covered a wide temperature and frequency range. We unveiled complex local relaxations, characterized by the simultaneous presence of two components, which were dependent on thermal treatment. The segmental relaxation showed relaxation times and strengths depending on the glycolic subunit length, which were furthermore confirmed by high-frequency experiments in the molten region of the polymers. Our results allowed determining structure–property relations that are able to provide further understanding about the excellent barrier properties of poly(alkylene 2,5-furanoate)s. In addition, we provide results of high industrial interest during polymer processing for possible industrial applications of poly(alkylene furanoate)s.

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