ABSTRACT:The aim of this study was to investigate the film-forming ability of the hemicellulose O-acetyl-galactoglucomannan (AcGGM) and to evaluate its potential as a barrier material. The polymer film was evaluated by measurement of its oxygen permeability (Ox-Tran® Mocon), thermal properties (differential scanning calorimetry), and dynamic mechanical properties under a humidity scan (humidity-scan DMA). The AcGGM was isolated from industrial process water obtained from mechanical wood pulping. The self-supporting films were formed by solution-casting from water. As expected, a plasticizer was needed to avoid brittleness, and glycerol, sorbitol, and xylitol were compared. However, these additives resulted in higher sensitivity to moisture, which might be less beneficial for some applications. Interesting oxygen barrier and mechanical strength properties were achieved in a film obtained from a physical blend of AcGGM and either alginate or carboxymethylcellulose, both having a substantially higher molecular weight than AcGGM. No phase separation was observed, since all the components used were rich in hydroxyl functionalities. When a plasticizer was also added to the binary mixture, a compromise between (1) low O 2 permeability, (2) high mechanical toughness, and (3) flexibility of an AcGGM-based film was obtained.
High molecular weight poly(ester carbonate)s have been prepared by a two‐step chain‐extension reaction performed on oligomeric α,ω‐dihydroxy‐terminated poly(1,3‐propylene succinate) in turn obtained by thermal polycondensation of excess 1,3‐propanediol with succinic acid. The new polymers have a biodegradable backbone and derive from renewable sources. Therefore, they have a potential as environment‐friendly materials.
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