Polysaccharides and protein biopolymers are of increasing interest for their use as sustainable film and coating materials. However, their main drawback in these applications is their inherent high water permeability and low water resistance at high relative humidity conditions. In this study, two specifically designed commercial fillers of different nature and aspect ratios were successfully incorporated into two polysaccharides: methyl cellulose and chitosan. The morphology study indicated that a good dispersion with intercalation of the fillers was observed in both matrices. The water barrier properties of the nanobiocomposites were found to be enhanced to a significant extent, particularly for the higher aspect ratio filler, as compared to the pure matrix materials, while the biodegradability of the composite materials was maintained.
Park, H.J. and Chinnan, M.S. ( 1995). Effect of Plasticizer Level and Temperature on Water Vapor Transmission of Cellulose-Based Edible Films, J. Food Process Engg, 18(4): 417-429.
2.
Ke, Z. and Yongping, B. ( 2005). Improve the Gas Barrier Property of PET Film with Montmorillonite by in situ Interlayer Polymerization, Mater. Lett., 59(27): 3348-3351.
3.
Lagarón, J.M., Cabedo, L., Cava, D., Feijoo, J.L., Gavara, R. and Giménez , E. (2005). Improving Packaged Food Quality and Safety. Part 2: Nanocomposites, Food Addit . Contam, 22(10): 994-998.
4.
Xu, Y., Ren, X. and Hanna, M.A. ( 2006). Chitosan/Clay Nanocomposite Film Preparation and Characterization , J. Appl. Poly. Sci., 99(4): 1684-1691.
5.
Wang, X., Du, Y., Yang, J., Wang, X., Shi, X. and Hu, Y. ( 2006). Preparation, Characterization and Antimicrobial Activity of Chitosan/Layered Silicate Nanocomposites, Polymer, 47(19): 6738-6744.
6.
Lin, K.F. , Hsu, C.Y., Huang, T.S., Chiu, W.Y., Lee, Y.H. and Young, T.H. (2005). A Novel Method to Prepare Chitosan/Montmorillonite Nanocomposites, J. Appl. Poly. Sci. , 98(5): 2042-2047.
7.
Hu, Q., Li, B., Wang, M. and Shen, J. ( 2004). Preparation, Characterization and Antimicrobial Activity of Chitosan/Layered Silicate Nanocomposites, Biomaterials , 25(5): 779-785.
8.
Darder, M., Colilla M. and Ruiz-Hitzky, E. ( 2005). Chitosan-Clay Nanocomposites: Application as Electrochemical Sensors, Appl. Clay Sci., 28(1): 199-208.
9.
Jingjid, S., Damrongsakkul, S. and Rimdusit, S. ( 2006). Characterization of Methyl Cellulose/Montmorillonite Nanocomposites. In: The Fourth Thailand Materials Science and Technology Conference, Thailand.
10.
Sánchez-Garcia, M.D., Ocio, M.J., Giménez , E. and Lagarón, J.M. (2008 ). Novel Polycaprolactone Nanocomposites Containing Thymol of Interest in Antimicrobial Film and Coating Applications, J. Plas. Film & Shtg., 24(3-4): 239-251.
11.
Sánchez-García, M.D., Giménez , E. and Lagarón, J.M. (2008 ). Morphology and Barrier Properties of Solvent Cast Composites of Thermoplastic Biopolymers and Purified Cellulose Fibers, Carbohydrate Polym., 71(2): 235-244.
12.
Olabarrieta, I., Gallstedt, M., Ispizua, I., Sarasua, J.R. and Hedenqvist , M.S. (2006). Properties of Aged Montmorillonite-Wheat Gluten Composite Films, J. Agric. Food Chem., 54(4): 1283-1288.
13.
Yang, H.S., Yoon, J.S. and Kim, M.N. ( 2005). Dependence of Biodegradability of Plastics in Compost on the Shape of Specimens, Polym. Degrad. Stab., 87(1): 131-135.
14.
Despond, S., Espuche, E. and Domard, A. ( 2001). Water Sorption and Permeation in Chitosan Films: Relation between Gas Permeability and Relative Humidity, J. Polym. Sci. Part B: Polym. Phys., 39(24): 3114-3127.
15.
Arvanitoyannis, I.S., Nakayama, A. and Aiba, S. (1998). Chitosan and Gelatin Based Edible Films: State Diagrams, Mechanical and Permeation Properties, Carbohydrate Polym., 37(4): 371-382.
16.
Wiles, J.L., Vergano, P.J., Barron, F.H., Bunn, J.M. and Testin, R.F. ( 2000). Water Vapor Transmission Rates and Sorption Behavior of Chitosan Films, J. Food Sci., 65(7): 1175-1179.
17.
Pinotti, A., García, M.A., Martino, M.N. and Zaritzky, N.E. ( 2007). Study on Microstructure and Physical Properties of Composite Films Based on Chitosan and Methylcellulose, Food Hydrocolloids , 21(1): 66-72.
18.
Garcia, M.A., Pinotti, A. and Zaritzky, N.E. ( 2006). Physicochemical, Water Vapor Barrier and Mechanical Properties of Corn Starch and Chitosan Composite Films, Starch, 58(9): 453-463.
19.
Crank, J. ( 1975). The Mathematics of Diffusion, 2nd edn, Oxford University Press, Oxford.
20.
Boyd, R.H. ( 1979). The Modulus of the Amorphous Component in Polyethylenes, Polym. Eng. Sci., 19(14): 1010-1016.
21.
Hedenqvist, M., Angelstok, A., Edsberg, L., Larsson, P.T. and Gedde, U.W. (1996). Diffusion of Small-Molecule Penetrants in Polyethylene: Free Volume and Morphology, Polymer , 37(14): 2887-2902.
22.
Lagarón, J.M., Catala, R. and Gavara, R. (2004). Structural Characteristics Defining High Barrier Properties in Polymeric Materials, MaterSci. & Techn., 20(1): 1-7.
