Abstract
Soy protein isolate (SPI) based films have received considerable attention for use in packaging materials. However, SPI-based films exhibit relatively poor mechanical properties and water resistance ability. To tackle these challenges, chitosan (CS) and endogenous Cu nanoclusters (NCs) capped with protein were proposed and designed to modify SPI-based films. Attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction patterns of composite films demonstrated that interactions, such as hydrogen bonds in the film forming process, promoted the cross-linking of composite films. The surface microstructure of CS/SPI films modified with Cu NCs was more uniform and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that uniform and discrete clusters were formed. Compared with untreated SPI films, the tensile strength and elongation at break of composite films were simultaneously improved by 118.78% and 74.93%, respectively. Moreover, these composite films also exhibited higher water contact angle and degradation temperature than that of pure SPI film. The water vapor permeation of the modified film also decreased. These improved properties of functional bio-polymers show great potential as food packaging materials.
Highlights
Polymer nanocomposites have emerged as an important research field in order to confer materials with superior properties [1,2]
Was from 450 ◦ C to 600 ◦ C for the carbonized polymers in films [42]. These results suggested that the Soy protein isolate (SPI)–Cu films modified with chitosan showed a higher heat. These results suggested that the SPI–Cu films modified with chitosan showed a higher heat resistance and degradation temperature than the control film
We synthesized water-dispersed Cu NCs capped with the soy protein isolate with a facile method, and used Cu NCs and chitosan to modify the mechanical properties of SPI-based films
Summary
Polymer nanocomposites have emerged as an important research field in order to confer materials with superior properties [1,2]. SPI-based films exhibit significant potential applications in the biosciences and biotechnology [6,7]. Films obtained from unmodified SPI have some weaknesses in mechanical properties such as tensile strength and flexibility, which are critical issues for commercial applications [8]. Many traditional methods have been applied by previous studies, including different processing methods [9,10], blending organic or inorganic materials [11,12], and chemical cross-linking [13]. These efforts did not simultaneously improve the stiffness and flexibility of biopolymer films. González [14] reported that with the addition
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