ABSTRACT:The sorption and transport of water in nylon 6,6 films as functions of the relative humidity (RH) and temperature were studied. Moisture-sorption isotherms determined gravimetrically at 25, 35, and 45°C were described accurately by the GAB equation. Water-vapor transmission rates were enhanced above Ϸ 60 -70% RH, primarily due to the transition of the polymer from glassy to rubbery states. The glass transition temperatures (T g 's) of nylon 6,6 were measured at various moisture contents using differential scanning calorimetry. The results showed that the sorbed water acted as an effective plasticizer in depressing the T g of the polyamide. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was utilized to characterize the interaction of water and the nylon. Evidence from FTIR suggested that the interaction of water with nylon 6,6 took place at the amide groups. Based on the frequency shift of the peak maxima, moisture sorption appeared to reduce the average hydrogen-bond strength of the NOH groups. However, an increase was seen for the CAO groups.
Whey protein isolate (WPI)-based edible biopolymer films were prepared using a film-forming stage designed to provide heat-induced gelation. Effects of whey-protein ratios, calcium, glycerol (plasticizer), and emulsion droplet incorporation on film tensile and barrier properties were investigated. Protein ratios had less influence on tensile strength, elongation, and water vapor permeability than glycerol and calcium ion concentrations. Semitransparent films with reasonably high tensile and UV-light barrier properties and moderate water vapor barrier properties were prepared from WPI:20% glycerol:10 mM calcium solutions. Microstructure analysis revealed the influence of glycerol and calcium concentrations on gel networks, which could be related to film tensile properties.
ABSTRACT:The transport properties of oxygen and water vapor through EVOH films as functions of relative humidity (RH) and temperature were studied. The results of oxygen and water vapor permeation demonstrated that temperature and RH markedly affected barrier properties of these films. In general, the EVOH films had minimal oxygen and water vapor permeabilities at a low RH, attributed to the reduced mobility of the polymer resulting from strong interactions between small water molecules and the polymeric matrix at low RH. Beyond 75% RH, the permeabilities increased considerably. In addition, the barrier performance of the EVOH films was found to be dependent on their ethylene content and orientation. From the experimental data, semiempirical equations describing oxygen transmission rates (O 2 TR) as functions of RH and temperature were developed.
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