scholarly journals Mechanically Reinforced, Flexible, Hydrophobic and UV Impermeable Starch-Cellulose Nanofibers (CNF)-Lignin Composites with Good Barrier and Thermal Properties

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (24) ◽  
pp. 4346
Author(s):  
Yadong Zhao ◽  
Christofer Troedsson ◽  
Jean-Marie Bouquet ◽  
Eric M. Thompson ◽  
Bin Zheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Stability ◽  
Food Packaging ◽  
Cellulose Nanofibers ◽  
Composite Films ◽  
Barrier Properties ◽  
Gas Barrier ◽  
Good Thermal Stability ◽  
Flexible Films ◽  
Functional Additive ◽  
The Matrix

Bio-based composite films have been widely studied as potential substitutes for conventional plastics in food packaging. The aim of this study was to develop multifunctional composite films by introducing cellulose nanofibers (CNF) and lignin into starch-based films. Instead of costly and complicated chemical modification or covalent coupling, this study optimized the performance of the composite films by simply tuning the formulation. We found that starch films were mechanically reinforced by CNF, with lignin dispersing as nanoparticles embedded in the matrix. The newly built-up hydrogen bonding between these three components improves the integration of the films, while the introduction of CNF and lignin improved the thermal stability of the starch-based films. Lignin, as a functional additive, improved hydrophobicity and blocked UV transmission. The inherent barrier property of CNF and the dense starch matrix provided the composite films with good gas barrier properties. The prepared flexible films were optically transparent, and exhibited UV blocking ability, good oxygen-barrier properties, high hydrophobicity, appreciable mechanical strength and good thermal stability. These characteristics indicate potential utilization as a green alternative to synthetic plastics especially for food packaging applications.

scholarly journals Hybrid Biocomposites Based on Poly(Lactic Acid) and Silica Aerogel for Food Packaging Applications

Materials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (21) ◽  
pp. 4910 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandro Aragón-Gutierrez ◽  
Marina P. Arrieta ◽  
Mar López-González ◽  
Marta Fernández-García ◽  
Daniel López
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Stability ◽  
Lactic Acid ◽  
Silica Aerogel ◽  
Food Packaging ◽  
Mechanical Performance ◽  
Composite Films ◽  
Barrier Properties ◽  
Extrusion Process ◽  
Poly Lactic Acid ◽  
Barrier Performance

Bionanocomposites based on poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and silica aerogel (SiA) were developed by means of melt extrusion process. PLA-SiA composite films were plasticized with 15 wt.% of acetyl (tributyl citrate) (ATBC) to facilitate the PLA processability as well as to attain flexible polymeric formulations for films for food packaging purposes. Meanwhile, SiA was added in four different proportions (0.5, 1, 3 and 5 wt.%) to evaluate the ability of SiA to improve the thermal, mechanical, and barrier performance of the bionanocomposites. The mechanical performance, thermal stability as well as the barrier properties against different gases (carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and oxygen) of the bionanocomposites were evaluated. It was observed that the addition of 3 wt.% of SiA to the plasticized PLA-ATBC matrix showed simultaneously an improvement on the thermal stability as well as the mechanical and barrier performance of films. Finally, PLA-SiA film formulations were disintegrated in compost at the lab-scale level. The combination of ATBC and SiA sped up the disintegration of PLA matrix. Thus, the bionanocomposites produced here show great potential as sustainable polymeric formulations with interest in the food packaging sector.

scholarly journals Cellulose Nanofibers from Olive Tree Pruning as Food Packaging Additive of a Biodegradable Film

Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1584
Author(s):  
Mónica Sánchez-Gutiérrez ◽  
Isabel Bascón-Villegas ◽  
Eduardo Espinosa ◽  
Elena Carrasco ◽  
Fernando Pérez-Rodríguez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Stability ◽  
Food Packaging ◽  
Cellulose Nanofibers ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Water Vapor Permeability ◽  
Olive Tree ◽  
Barrier Properties ◽  
Vapor Permeability ◽  
Alternative Material ◽  
Tree Pruning

A biodegradable packaging film containing cellulose nanofibers from olive tree pruning, a by-product of olives production, was obtained using a solvent casting method. Nanocellulose was added to polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to enhance the technological properties of the composite film as food packaging material. Nanocellulose was obtained from unbleached and bleached pulp through a mechanical and TEMPO pretreatment. Crystalline and chemical structure, surface microstructure, UV and gas barrier, optical, mechanical and antioxidant properties, as well as thermal stability were evaluated. Regarding optical properties, the UV barrier was increased from 6% for the pure PVA film to 50% and 24% for unbleached and bleached nanocellulose, respectively. The antioxidant capacity increased significantly in unbleached mechanical nanocellulose-films (5.3%) compared to pure PVA film (1.7%). In terms of mechanical properties, the tensile strength of the 5% unbleached mechanical nanocellulose films was significantly improved compared to the pure PVA film. Similarly, the 5% nanocellulose films had increased the thermal stability and improved barrier properties, reducing water vapor permeability by 38–59% and presenting an oxygen barrier comparable to aluminum layer and plastic films. Our results support the use of the developed films as a green alternative material for food packaging.

scholarly journals Nanocomposites Materials of PLA Reinforced with Nanoclays Using a Masterbatch Technology: A Study of the Mechanical Performance and Its Sustainability

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 2133
Author(s):  
Helena Oliver-Ortega ◽  
Josep Tresserras ◽  
Fernando Julian ◽  
Manel Alcalà ◽  
Alba Bala ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Packaging ◽  
Mechanical Performance ◽  
Polymeric Materials ◽  
Barrier Properties ◽  
Food Tray ◽  
Environmental Concerns ◽  
Poly Lactic Acid ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Surface Modified ◽  
Being Moved

Packaging consumes around 40% of the total plastic production. One of the most important fields with high requirements is food packaging. Food packaging products have been commonly produced with petrol polymers, but due to environmental concerns, the market is being moved to biopolymers. Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) is the most promising biopolymer, as it is bio-based and biodegradable, and it is well established in the market. Nonetheless, its barrier properties need to be enhanced to be competitive with other polymers such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Nanoclays improve the barrier properties of polymeric materials if correct dispersion and exfoliation are obtained. Thus, it marks a milestone to obtain an appropriate dispersion. A predispersed methodology is proposed as a compounding process to improve the dispersion of these composites instead of common melt procedures. Afterwards, the effect of the polarity of the matrix was analyzing using polar and surface modified nanoclays with contents ranging from 2 to 8% w/w. The results showed the suitability of the predispersed and concentrated compound, technically named masterbatch, to obtain intercalated structures and the higher dispersion of polar nanoclays. Finally, the mechanical performance and sustainability of the prepared materials were simulated in a food tray, showing the best assessment of these materials and their lower fingerprint.

Nanocellulose as a new sustainable material for various applications: a review

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (109) ◽  
pp. 49-64
Author(s):  
F. Fahma ◽  
I. Febiyanti ◽  
N. Lisdayana ◽  
I.W. Arnata ◽  
D. Sartika
Keyword(s):  
Food Packaging ◽  
Cellulose Nanofibers ◽  
Barrier Properties ◽  
Polar Polymers ◽  
Hydrophilic Nature ◽  
Composite Field ◽  
Reinforcing Agent ◽  
Tissue Scaffolding ◽  
Application Fields ◽  
And Control

Purpose: This paper presents a comprehensive review of nanocellulose and its application in several applications, including composites, biomedical, and food packaging fields. Design/methodology/approach: General explanations about cellulose and nanocellulose have been described. Different types of nanocellulose (cellulose nanofibers, cellulose nanocrystals, bacterial nanocellulose) as well as their isolation processes (mechanical process, chemical process) have been reviewed. Several surface modifications have been explained to improve the dispersion of nanocellulose in non-polar polymers. The possible utilization of nanocellulose in composites, biomedical, and food packaging fields have also been analysed. Findings: This review presents three application fields at once, namely composites, biomedical, and food packaging fields. In the composite field, nanocellulose can be used as a reinforcing agent which increases the mehcnical properties such as tensile strength and toughness, and thermal stability of the final composites. In the biomedical field, nanocellulose is reinforced into hydrogel or composites which will be produced as tissue scaffolding, wound dressing, etc. It is found that the addition of nanocellulose can extend and control the drug release. While in the packaging field, nanocellulose is added into a biopolymer to improve the barrier properties and decrease the water and oxygen vapor transmission rates. Research limitations/implications: Nanocellulose has a hydrophilic nature, thus making it agglomerated and difficult to disperse in most non-polar polymers. Therefore, certain surface modification of nanocellulose are required prior to the preparation of composites or hydrogels.Practical implications: Further research regarding the toxicity of nanocellulose needs to be investigated, especially when applying it in the biomedical and food packaging fields. Originality/value: This review presents three application fields at once, namely composites, biomedical, and food packaging fields.

Isolation of Cellulose Nanofibers (CNFs) based on Ball-milling Technique Combined with Supercritical Carbon dioxide/ethanol Pretreatment

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhijun Hu ◽  
Xinyu Cao ◽  
Guanhong Huang ◽  
Daliang Guo
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Stability ◽  
Reaction Time ◽  
Ball Milling ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Cellulose Nanofibers ◽  
Sem Images ◽  
Tempo Oxidation ◽  
Good Thermal Stability ◽  
Ethanol Pretreatment ◽  
Ball Milling Technique

Abstract Here, a new pretreatment method has been developed to produce CNFs from micro-fibrillated cellulose (MFC) by supercritical CO 2 pretreatment followed with ball-milling (SCB). MFC was obtained from cotton stalk by chemical purification.Experimental factors were controlled to enhance the properties of SCB-CNF, meanwhile a comparative study was conducted with the method of TEMPO oxidation and microfluid homogenization (TMH). Compared to TMH-CNF, the SCB-CNF has such advantages as Energy saving, high efficiency and environmental protection, indicating a wide application in heat-resistant materials, load materials and other fields. The solid yields of P-MFC after supercritical CO 2 pretreatment gradually decreased together with the temperature and the reaction time. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of the SCB-CNF and TMH-CNF show that the morphology of the SCB-CNF was basically acicular but that of the TMH-CNF was mainly soft fibrous. The SCB-CNF is smaller in width and shorter in length, and its size is between CNC and CNF. Thermal gravimetric results suggest that the thermal stability of the SCB-CNF was substantially higher than those of the TMH-CNF. XRD results indicate that the crystallinity showed an initial increasing trend and then declined with increasing temperature and reaction time, and the crystallinity value of SCB-CNF was larger than that of CNFs. The smaller SCB-CNF became rougher and had a larger surface area. High crystallinity make good thermal stability, short and coarse fiber, easier to disperse than CNF, less energy consumption for dispersion, better than 3D mesh. It can be widely used in polymer composites, reinforcing agents, membrane materials and other fields.

scholarly journals Release of Graphene and Carbon Nanotubes from Biodegradable Poly(Lactic Acid) Films during Degradation and Combustion: Risk Associated with the End-of-Life of Nanocomposite Food Packaging Materials

Materials ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 2346 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stanislav Kotsilkov ◽  
Evgeni Ivanov ◽  
Nikolay Vitanov
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Lactic Acid ◽  
Food Packaging ◽  
Safety Concern ◽  
Barrier Properties ◽  
Nanocomposite Films ◽  
Poly Lactic Acid ◽  
Qualitative Risk Assessment ◽  
The Matrix

Nanoparticles of graphene and carbon nanotubes are attractive materials for the improvement of mechanical and barrier properties and for the functionality of biodegradable polymers for packaging applications. However, the increase of the manufacture and consumption increases the probability of exposure of humans and the environment to such nanomaterials; this brings up questions about the risks of nanomaterials, since they can be toxic. For a risk assessment, it is crucial to know whether airborne nanoparticles of graphene and carbon nanotubes can be released from nanocomposites into the environment at their end-life, or whether they remain embedded in the matrix. In this work, the release of graphene and carbon nanotubes from the poly(lactic) acid nanocomposite films were studied for the scenarios of: (i) biodegradation of the matrix polymer at the disposal of wastes; and (ii) combustion and fire of nanocomposite wastes. Thermogravimetric analysis in air atmosphere, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were used to verify the release of nanoparticles from nanocomposite films. The three factors model was applied for the quantitative and qualitative risk assessment of the release of graphene and carbon nanotubes from nanocomposite wastes for these scenarios. Safety concern is discussed in respect to the existing regulations for nanowaste stream.

scholarly journals Multifunctional PLA Blends Containing Chitosan Mediated Silver Nanoparticles: Thermal, Mechanical, Antibacterial, and Degradation Properties

Nanomaterials ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agueda Sonseca ◽  
Salim Madani ◽  
Gema Rodríguez ◽  
Víctor Hevilla ◽  
Coro Echeverría ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Stability ◽  
Silver Nanoparticles ◽  
Lactic Acid ◽  
Food Packaging ◽  
Synthesis Method ◽  
Crystallization Rate ◽  
Poly Lactic Acid ◽  
Scanning Calorimetry ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Degradation Properties

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is one of the most commonly employed synthetic biopolymers for facing plastic waste problems. Despite its numerous strengths, its inherent brittleness, low toughness, and thermal stability, as well as a relatively slow crystallization rate represent some limiting properties when packaging is its final intended application. In the present work, silver nanoparticles obtained from a facile and green synthesis method, mediated with chitosan as a reducing and stabilizing agent, have been introduced in the oligomeric lactic acid (OLA) plasticized PLA in order to obtain nanocomposites with enhanced properties to find potential application as antibacterial food packaging materials. In this way, the green character of the matrix and plasticizer was preserved by using an eco-friendly synthesis protocol of the nanofiller. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results proved the modification of the crystalline structure as well as the crystallinity of the pristine matrix when chitosan mediated silver nanoparticles (AgCH-NPs) were present. The final effect over the thermal stability, mechanical properties, degradation under composting conditions, and antimicrobial behavior when AgCH-NPs were added to the neat plasticized PLA matrix was also investigated. The obtained results revealed interesting properties of the final nanocomposites to be applied as materials for the targeted application.

scholarly journals Preparation and Characterization of Carboxymethyl Cellulose-Based Bioactive Composite Films Modified with Fungal Melanin and Carvacrol

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 499
Author(s):  
Łukasz Łopusiewicz ◽  
Paweł Kwiatkowski ◽  
Emilia Drozłowska ◽  
Paulina Trocer ◽  
Mateusz Kostek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Vapour ◽  
Carboxymethyl Cellulose ◽  
Food Packaging ◽  
Antioxidant Activities ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Composite Films ◽  
Barrier Properties ◽  
Good Potential ◽  
Fungal Melanin ◽  
Spectroscopy Studies

Preparation of biodegradable packaging materials and valorisation of food industry residues to achieve “zero waste” goals is still a major challenge. Herein, biopolymer-based (carboxymethyl cellulose—CMC) bioactive films were prepared by the addition, alone or in combination, of carvacrol and fungal melanin isolated from champignon mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) agro-industrial residues. The mechanical, optical, thermal, water vapour, and UV-Vis barrier properties were studied. Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy studies were carried out to analyse the chemical composition of the resulting films. Antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant activities were also determined. Both CMC/melanin and CMC/melanin/carvacrol films showed some antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. The addition of melanin increased the UV-blocking, mechanical, water vapour barrier, and antioxidant properties without substantially reducing the transparency of the films. The addition of carvacrol caused loss of transparency, however, composite CMC/melanin/carvacrol films showed excellent antioxidant activity and enhanced mechanical strength. The developed bioactive biopolymer films have a good potential to be green bioactive alternatives to plastic films in food packaging applications.

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