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Bio‐based sustainable films from the Algerian Opuntia ficus‐indica cladodes powder: Effect of plasticizer content
Author(s) -
Makhloufi Nawal,
Chougui Nadia,
Rezgui Farouk,
Benramdane Elias,
Freire Carmen S. R.,
Vilela Carla,
Silvestre Armando J. D.
Publication year - 2021
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.50450
Subject(s) - cladodes , ultimate tensile strength , water content , materials science , raw material , plasticizer , thermal stability , composite material , botany , chemistry , organic chemistry , geotechnical engineering , pear , engineering , biology
The present study investigated the fabrication and characterization of bio‐based sustainable films composed of a terrestrial plant raw material, namely Opuntia ficus‐indica (OFI) cladodes powder (CP) and a marine seaweed derivative, namely agar (A). The effect of glycerol concentration on the properties of the casted films was evaluated at four different contents, namely 30, 40, 50 and 60 wt%. The films present UV‐blocking properties, as well as moderate mechanical performance, thermal stability, and water vapor transmission rate (WVTR). The results point to an increase in thickness, elongation at break, moisture content, water solubility, and WVTR with increasing glycerol content. On the contrary, Young's modulus, tensile strength, and water contact angle decreased as glycerol concentration increased. The best combination is obtained for the film with 30% glycerol, based on an intermediate compromise between physical, mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties. All these outcomes express the potentiality of the powder obtained from grinding the OFI cladodes as raw material to produce low‐cost films for the development of sustainable packaging materials.