Production and evaluation the properties of laminated oat protein film and electrospun nylon

Abstract

Electrospun synthetic fiber was used to reinforce protein-based composite. Two monolayer and laminated films based on either made from just isolated oat protein or a composite containing an interlayer of nylon-6 nanofiber was developed. It was revealed that monolayer film has relatively weak barrier and mechanical properties compared to other proteinous films. To improve film characteristics, 0.5, 1, and 1.5% (wt/wt) of the nanofiber were incorporated into the film. According to the results, film solubility in water decreased while its oxygen and water vapor permeability and mechanical properties were significantly improved. Due to the presence of 1.5% (wt/wt) of nanofiber, the elastic modulus increased significantly and, therefore, glass transition temperature (TG) of laminated film was also increased. Addition of nanofibers did not significantly affect optical properties. The results show that incorporation of electrospun nylon nanofibers into a film obtained from a natural polymer may show promise and improves its properties. Practical applications Laminating of different films and combination of their features are one of the popular methods to improve properties of biodegradable films. In this study, electrospun nylon nanofiber was incorporated as interlayer of film based on oat protein. By this way, effect of interlayer nylon nanofiber mat (NNM) on physical and mechanical properties of oat protein–NNM was investigated. The results showed that water vapor and oxygen permeability, mechanical properties, and its resistance to soluble in water improved, while interlayer did not have significant effect on optical properties of laminated film.