Abstract
As, in the market, poly (lactic acid) (PLA) is the most used polymer as an alternative to conventional plastics, and as functionalized chitin nanocrystals (CHNC) can provide structural and bioactive properties, their combination sounds promising in the preparation of functional nanocomposite films for sustainable packaging. Chitin nanocrystals were successfully modified via acylation using anhydride acetic and dodecanoyl chloride acid to improve their compatibility with the matrix, PLA. The nanocomposite films were prepared by extrusion/compression approach using different concentrations of both sets of functionalized CHNC. This investigation brings forward that both sets of modified CHNC act as functional agents, i.e., they slightly improved the hydrophobic character of the PLA nanocomposite films, and, very importantly, they also enhanced their antifungal activity. Nonetheless, the nanocomposite films prepared with the CHNC modified with dodecanoyl chloride acid presented the best properties.
Highlights
Among the available biodegradable polymers in the market, poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is the most used as a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics [1,2,3,4]
Chitin nanocrystals were successfully modified via acylation using anhydride acetic and chloride acid
Poly(lactic acid)-based nanocomposite films were prepared by extrusion/compression dodecanoyl chloride acid
Summary
Among the available biodegradable polymers in the market, poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is the most used as a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics [1,2,3,4]. Increasing attention in the design and development PLA-based materials for food packaging, biomedical devices and automotive industry has been observed [6,7,8]. Several strategies have been developed to improve the structural and/or functional properties of the polymer-based materials from renewable resources, including the incorporation of fillers. Natural fillers, such as nanofibers and nanocrystals from cellulose and chitin, and nanocrystals from starch are gaining considerable interest because of their abundance, chemical structure, low toxicity and biodegradability [9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16]. Chitin nanofillers provide antifungal or antibacterial properties [17,18,19]
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