Abstract
Mechanical and barrier properties of chitosan films prepared with essential oils of clove and functional extract were studied. The films made with functional extracts (esters E6and E7) presented the significant increment of extensibility compared with the untreated chitosan films. In the case of punction test, the films made with the esters E6and E7resisted more the applied strength before tearing up compared with the chitosan control film (without any treatment). Thermogravimetric analysis values were determined for the chitosan control film and chitosan film treated with clove essential oil obtaining 112.17°C and 176.73°C, respectively. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to determine their morphology by analyzing their surfaces and phase arrangement; AFM was also used to observe the porosity in chitosan-based antimicrobial films and the chitosan films incorporating functional extracts. The water vapour permeability (WVP) data showed that incorporating the functional extract to the formulation of films has a positive effect on water vapour barrier properties. In general, the incorporation of essential oils and functional extract of clove at 20% in chitosan films caused microstructural changes that were dependent on the different affinity of components.
Highlights
Polymers derived from renewable resources are considered promising alternatives to traditional petropolymers as they mitigate current environmental concern [1]
The films made with functional extracts presented the significant increment of extensibility compared with the untreated chitosan films
The results revealed that the addition of functional extract into in chitosan matrix increased the glass transition temperature of the films
Summary
Polymers derived from renewable resources are considered promising alternatives to traditional petropolymers as they mitigate current environmental concern (raw renewable materials/biodegradability) [1]. Chitosan is a linear polyaminosaccharide of high molecular weight, and its derivates are used in a wide variety of applications, for instance, alternative materials of biodegradable and antimicrobial flexible films, the latter due to its capacity of absorbing nutrients used by bacteria and International Journal of Polymer Science the capacity to bond water and inhibit the enzymatic system [6]. These materials’ efficiency depends on their molecular weight and their degree of deacetylation [7, 8]. Pure chitosan films are fragile and need plasticizer to reduce frictional forces between the polymer chains, as hydrogen bonds or ionic forces, improving mechanical properties [12]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
