Chitin is a natural biopolymer obtained from the exoskeleton of crustaceans. Chitosan is a derivative of chitin, which has antimicrobial properties and potential applications in several industries. Moreover, the composites of chitosan with other biodegradable polymers, such as polylactide (PLA) as packaging film, have shown promising results. In this study, chitosan was obtained and characterized from shrimp shells. Then, polylactide-chitosan composite films were prepared by a solvent casting technique using various amounts of chitosan (0.5-2% /) and polyethylene glycol as plasticizer (10% /). Thermal, mechanical properties, Fourier-transform infrared, scanning electron microscopy, as well as antibacterial properties of composite films were determined. It was found that adding chitosan (CH) into PLA films has a significant effect on tensile strength and no effect on thermal properties. The results showed a reduction on average of 1 log of colony-forming units against , while there is no antibacterial effect against . The study proved the antibacterial effect of CH in films of PLA against Gram-positive bacteria and appropriate mechanical properties. These films could be used for the development of biodegradable/eco-friendly food packaging prototypes, as a potential solution to replace conventional non-degradable packaging materials.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/polym14112266 | DOI Listing |
Phys Chem Chem Phys
January 2025
Temperature and Humidity Metrology, CSIR-National Physical Laboratory, Dr K. S. Krishnan Marg, New Delhi, 110012, India.
In this study, we have proposed an advanced humidity sensor based on a composite of chitosan (CS) and graphene oxide (GO), prepared by the drop casting method. Graphene oxide-chitosan (GO-CS) films with varying volumetric ratios, along with pure GO and CS films, were prepared and extensively characterized using XRD, Raman, FTIR, SEM, XPS, and water contact angle to study their structural and morphological properties. Comparative analysis of humidity sensing parameters of all prepared films revealed that the film with a volumetric ratio of 4 : 1 (GOCS-2) performs best among all of them, which is attributed to the synergistic interaction between GO and CS.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe increasing demand for sustainable food packaging has driven the development of films based on biopolymers. However, enhancing their functional properties remains a challenge. In the current study, potato starch-pectin (PSP) composite films were fabricated and enriched with juniper berry essential oil (JBEO) to improve their physicochemical properties.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHeliyon
January 2025
A. K. M. Masud, Department of Industrial and Production Engineering (IPE), Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh.
Polymers have been ruling the packaging industry for decades due to their versatility, easy manufacturability, and low cost. The overuse of non-biodegradable plastics in food packaging has become a serious environmental concern. Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) reinforced nanocomposites have exceptional electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAdv Mater
January 2025
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, 3231 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
Cholesteric liquid crystal elastomers (CLCEs) hold great promise for mechanochromic applications in anti-counterfeiting, smart textiles, and soft robotics, thanks to the structural color and elasticity. While CLCEs are printed via direct ink writing (DIW) to fabricate free-standing films, complex 3D structures are not fabricated due to the opposing rheological properties necessary for cholesteric alignment and multilayer stacking. Here, 3D CLCE structures are realized by utilizing coaxial DIW to print a CLC ink within a silicone ink.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFACS Appl Mater Interfaces
January 2025
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China.
Photostimulus-responsive fluorescent materials are promising for anticounterfeiting and UV printing due to rapid response and simple preparation. In this paper, we propose a novel strategy to prepare photostimulus-responsive materials SP@HOF-olefin by integrating the photochromic molecule spiropyran (SP) with postsynthetic modified hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOF-olefin). Compared to SP@HOF, the composites SP@HOF-olefin exhibit enhanced photochromic properties, such as a fast response speed, pronounced color contrast, and exceptional fatigue resistance.
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