Study of the Effects and Interaction of Operational Parameters on the Fabrication of Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs)-Loaded Chitosan-Polylactic Acid-Based Films Using Full Factorial Design

Abstract

Fabrication of silver nanoparticles-loaded chitosan-polylactic acid-based films was successfully employed for investigating the effect and interaction factors that affect the tensile strength and elongation at break responses. The two factors were the concentration of polyethylene glycol (PEG) 400 and the ratio of polylactic acid (PLA)/chitosan. Analysis of results was performed by using two-level full factorial design (FFD) to avoid the traditional one-factor-at-a-time experiments, and the model constructed by FFD resulted in improved response, reduced process variability, and closer confirmation of response to targeted requirements. Common statistical tools such as analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pareto chart, normal probability plot of the residuals, and main effect plot with its response were used to determine the most important process variables affecting tensile strength and elongation at break responses. The use of FFD allowed for identification of the most significant parameters under tested conditions. From the results of statistical analysis, it could be concluded that both the concentration of polyethylene glycol (PEG) 400 and the ratio of polylactic acid (PLA)/chitosan had significant effect on tensile strength and elongation at break responses. Therefore, the concentration of polyethylene glycol (PEG) 400 and the ratio of polylactic acid (PLA)/chitosan content in the blend films were employed for a surface analysis design in order to achieve an optimal quality of film based on tensile strength and elongation at break responses. From Table 90.1, the standard order 15 (A = 15 %, B = 50/50) showed the best results in tensile strength and elongation at break which are 8.27376 Mpa and 23.4974 %, respectively. The results from FFD could be studied further expanded to a central composite design, in order to fit the measured data to a quadratic model and to calculate response surfaces.