Premium
Surface properties, thermal, and mechanical characteristics of poly(vinyl alcohol)–starch‐bacterial cellulose composite films
Author(s) -
Chiulan Ioana,
Frone Adriaicoleta,
Panaitescu Denis Mihaela,
Nicolae Cristian Andi,
Trusca Roxana
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.45800
Subject(s) - nanofiber , vinyl alcohol , materials science , nanocomposite , polyvinyl alcohol , composite material , ultimate tensile strength , composite number , bacterial cellulose , cellulose , food packaging , nanocellulose , starch , young's modulus , polymer , chemical engineering , chemistry , food science , engineering , biochemistry
Nanocomposite films for food packaging applications were developed using bacterial cellulose (BC) nanofibers in different amount in a poly(vinyl alcohol)/starch (PVA/St) matrix. In search of a better method to reduce the harmful ingredients in food packaging, the cellulose nanofibers were obtained by the mechanical defibrillation of BC pellicles thus avoiding the addition of chemicals in the final packaging material. Improved mechanical performances were obtained starting from just 1% BC nanofibers in PVA/St. Atomic force microscopy images showed a uniform dispersion of BC nanofibers on the surface of nanocomposites. A twofold increase of both tensile strength and modulus was obtained for 2 wt % BC in the composite. BC nanofibers have greatly improved the barrier properties of PVA/St matrix, a twofold increase of water vapor permeability being obtained for only 2 wt % BC nanofibers in the composite film. PVA/St/2BC was proposed as a high potential material for food packaging applications. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135 , 45800.