Combined effects of clay minerals and polyethylene glycol in the mechanical and water barrier properties of carboxymethylcellulose films

Author(s)

de Melo Fiori, Ana Paula Santos ^{[1, 2]} ; Camani, Paulo Henrique ^[1] ; Rosa, Derval dos Santos ^[1] ; Carastan, Danilo Justino ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Fed Univ ABC, Ctr Engn Modeling & Appl Social Sci, Ave Estados 5001, BR-09210580 Santo Andre, SP - Brazil

^[2] Alagoas Fed Inst, Campus Marechal Deodoro, R Lourival Alfredo 176, BR-57160000 Marechal Deodoro, AL - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS; v. 140, NOV 15 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), a biopolymer with good film-forming abilities, has rather poor mechanical and water vapor barrier properties which restrict its use in potential food packaging applications. Aiming to improve these properties, CMC was therefore modified by the addition of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and sodium-based clay nanofillers. The results showed the combined action of PEG and sodium montmorillonite greatly improved the tensile mechanical properties of CMC, increasing simultaneously its modulus (up to 260%), strength (up to 250%) and elongation (up to 300%). The barrier effect promoted by the clay nanoplatelets in combination with PEG also resulted in an almost fivefold decrease in water vapor permeability. With these improvements, the use of CMC in edible food packaging applications becomes more feasible. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/25039-8 - Nanocellulose of eucalyptus residues from Bombinatory methods: pretreatments microwave assisted and acid and enzymatic isolation with modification by surfactants
• Grantee: Paulo Henrique Camani
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master