Abstract
In the current study the effect of dilution of chitosan acetate solution and of the use of a reflux-solution method on the morphology, the mechanical and water barrier properties of chitosan based nanocomposites is being investigated. Two series of nanocomposite films from two chitosan acetate solutions with 2w/v% and 1w/v% in chitosan were prepared, with 3, 5 and 10wt% Na-montmorillonite (NaMMT) and/or 30wt% glycerol. Intercalation of NaMMT was more effective in films based on 2w/v% solutions which presented decreased hydrated crystallinity. Upon NaMMT addition an enhancement was found in stiffness and strength (up to 100%) and a remarkable decrease in the elongation at break (up to 75%) and water vapor permeability (WVP) (up to 65%). This enhancement was less pronounced in 1w/v% systems. Addition of glycerol had a negative effect on the stiffness, strength and WVP, and a positive effect on the elongation at break and the absorbed water. Compared with the conventional solution cast method, the reflux treatment led to a significant improvement of the tested properties of nanocomposite films.
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