Abstract
Eco-friendly sustainable materials provide an appealing template to replace contemporary synthetic-nonrenewable resource-based materials while maintaining the acceptable material properties to meet the performance requirements. Here, a layer-by-layer (LBL) self-assembly technique was used for fabricating multilayer composite films using all bio-based polymers/polysaccharides, i.e. cationic guar gum (CGg), carboxylated cellulose nanocrystals (cCNCs) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC). A five layered composite film was fabricated by depositing polymeric layers as follows: CGg→cCNCs→HPMC→cCNCs→CGg. The structural analysis of (CGg/cCNCs/HPMC)5 L multilayered composite films indicated the existence of electrostatic interaction as well as H-bonding between polymeric layers that resulted in homogenous, dense and compact film surface with improved smoothness and strength properties. As compared to pure CGg film, the (CGg/cCNCs/HPMC)5 L multilayered composite films showed improved tensile strength (84.8 % increment) and modulus (29.19 % improvement). Importantly, the deposition of HPMC layer contributed in achieving multilayer composite films with more flexible behavior (46.55 % improvement in elongation at break). Furthermore, owing to the high transparency (89.5 % transmittance), appreciable gas and oil barrier performance and resistance to various solvents (e.g. acetone, THF and DMAc), these multilayer films are promising candidates for various applications including renewable/sustainable packaging materials.
Highlights
The global demand of safe, ecofriendly, biodegradable and sustainable packaging materials containing quality products have compelled the development of novel packaging solutions (Anukiruthika et al 2020, Sanchez-Garcia et al 2010)
The tensile stress–strain curve shown in Fig. 2 demonstrates the influence of cationic guar gum (CGg), carboxylated cellulose nanocrystals (cCNCs) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) polymeric layers on the mechanical properties of fabricated multilayered composite film
As is apparent from the stress-strain curve (Fig. 2a), the elongation at break increased from 1.80% for CGg/cCNCs to 3.40% for CGg/cCNCs/HPMC multilayered composite film
Summary
The global demand of safe, ecofriendly, biodegradable and sustainable packaging materials containing quality products have compelled the development of novel packaging solutions (Anukiruthika et al 2020, Sanchez-Garcia et al 2010). Customary packaging materials are derived from non-sustainable synthetic polymers like polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS) due to their relatively low cost, ease of processing and excellent mechanical and barrier properties (Anukiruthika et al 2020, Sanchez-Garcia et al 2010). The technique offers advantage of imparting unique physicochemical properties for preparing smart composite film surfaces and advanced coatings for various applications (Castleberry et al, 2014; Richardson et al, 2015). Such LBL structured composite films have a wide scope of utilization in packaging materials, electrochromic devices, optical sensors, super-hydrophobic surfaces, dye-sensitized solar cells, tissue engineering etc. The main objective of the presented work is to develop bio-based, sustainable and environmentally benign multilayered composite films with intended application as packaging materials
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