Improving filmogenic and barrier properties of nanocellulose films by addition of biodegradable plasticizers

Abstract

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were mixed with various additives to obtain films with good barrier and mechanical properties as replacements for petroleum-based plastics. The influence of different doses of additives including sorbitol (Sor), glycerol (Gly), maltitol (Mal), xylitol (Xyl), mannitol (Man), gellan gum (Gg), and ethylene glycol (Eg) on the resulting films was examined. Both the type of additive and its amount were found to affect film morphology, barrier, optical and mechanical properties. Most of the additives showed good results at low doses. All additives, except Eg and Man, improved film elongation; also, they increased tensile strength and decreased air and water permeance. The films containing Sor, Xyl, and Mal exhibited the highest barrier properties, providing films with totally resistance to oxygen under 60% of relative humidity conditions. Interestingly, those films containing additives were more easily biodegraded than the control film