Chitin Nanocrystal Hydrophobicity Adjustment by Fatty Acid Esterification for Improved Polylactic Acid Nanocomposites

Colijn, Ivanna; Yanat, Murat; Terhaerdt, Geertje; Molenveld, K.; Boeriu, Carmen G.; Schroën, Karin

doi:10.3390/polym14132619

Cited by 12 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…c Measurements were done after 2 h solubilization without an incubation step. d Data derived from [ 12 ].…”

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Chitin and its derivate chitosan are biocompatible, biodegradable, ecologically safe, have low toxicity, and show antioxidant and antimicrobial activities [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. Consequently, these natural amino polysaccharides are often considered as being the perfect building blocks for a wide variety of products; a few examples are wound-dressing materials [ 5 , 6 ], clarification agents for the food industry [ 7 , 8 ], and fillers for rubbers and thermoplastics [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ], in addition to many others [ 13 , 14 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In this paper, we take this method one step further and use it to characterize chitin nanocrystals, which are derived after the acid hydrolysis of crude chitin powder [ 10 , 14 , 25 ]. These nanoparticles have the potential to be applied widely, e.g., as fillers for thermoplastic polymers, and, more generally, for nano-composites [ 10 , 12 , 26 , 27 ]. These nanocrystals have a length of 100–400 nm and a diameter between 10–20 nm, which may allow them to dissolve more readily in the 85% phosphoric acid, but may make them more reactive and thus more susceptible to by-product formation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Comparison of the Degree of Acetylation of Chitin Nanocrystals Measured by Various Analysis Methods

et al. 2023

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Chitin and its derivate chitosan have versatile properties and have been used in various applications. One key parameter determining the functionality of chitin-based materials is the degree of acetylation (DA). For DA determination, NMR and FTIR spectroscopy are often considered to be the gold standard, but these techniques may not always be available and are rather time-consuming and costly. The first derivative UV method has been suggested, although accurate measurements can be challenging for materials with high degrees of acetylation, due to hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) formation and other side reactions occurring. In this paper, we re-evaluated the first derivate UV method for chitin and chitosan powder, chitin nanocrystals, and deacetylated chitin nanocrystals. Our results showed that the first derivative UV method is capable of measuring DA with high accuracy (>0.9), leading to values comparable to those obtained by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and FTIR. Moreover, by-product formation could either be suppressed by selecting the proper experimental conditions, or be compensated. For chitin nanocrystals, DA calculation deviations up to 20% due to by-product formation can be avoided with the correction that we propose. We conclude that the first derivative UV method is an accessible method for DA quantification, provided that sample solubility is warranted.

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“…c Measurements were done after 2 h solubilization without an incubation step. d Data derived from [ 12 ].…”

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Comparison of the Degree of Acetylation of Chitin Nanocrystals Measured by Various Analysis Methods

et al. 2023

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“…In particular, the reduction of aggregation, which is expected to be possible through industrial-scale extrusion, can improve the dispersion of the particles in the plastic matrix [ 71 , 72 ], thus increasing the surface area available for antioxidative action. An alternative route is utilized to increase the antioxidant activity of ChNC by surface modification with a phenolic compound [ 73 , 74 ]; for instance, using Steglich esterification with caffeic acid [ 75 ]. This is expected to improve the dispersion and antioxidant activity simultaneously due to the hydrophobic nature of the added groups and their functionality.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chitin Nanocrystals Provide Antioxidant Activity to Polylactic Acid Films

2022

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About 1/3rd of produced food goes to waste, and amongst others, advanced packaging concepts need to be developed to prevent this from happening. Here, we target the antioxidative functionality of food packaging to thus address food oxidation without the need for the addition of antioxidants to the food product, which is not desirable from a consumer point of view. Chitin nanocrystals (ChNC) have been shown to be promising bio-fillers for improving the mechanical strength of biodegradable plastics, but their potential as active components in plastic films is rather unexplored. In the current study, we investigate the antioxidant activity of chitin nanocrystals as such and as part of polylactic acid (PLA) films. This investigation was conducted using DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity. Chitin nanocrystals produced via acid hydrolysis showed five times higher activity compared to crude chitin powder. When using these crystals as part of a polylactic acid film (either inside or on top), in both scenarios, antioxidant activity was found, but the effect was considerably greater when the particles were at the surface of the film. This is an important proof of the principle that it is possible to create biodegradable plastics with additional functionality through the addition of ChNC.

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“…Both in academia and industry, nanocomposites have gathered great attention due to -amongst others -improved mechanical, barrier, and thermal properties compared to the neat polymer [26,31,33,56,58,172]. As such, nanocomposites are expected to be of added value for a wide variety of applications including the automotive, aviation, and packaging industry.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multiscale investigation and characterization of nanoparticle reinforced plastics : Toward a circular plastics economy

Colijn¹

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petroleum-based plastics are the result of years of innovation, while bioplastics are still in their infancy, and various options for improvement are considered. These options relate both to the material as such, as well as the processes that are used and need to be tuned to make bioplastics that meet specific requirements. Previously water vapour permeability was discussed as a point of improvement, but in terms of oxygen transfer, bioplastic may already outperform fossil-based plastics; this is highly relevant for the suppression of oxidation reactions that lead to considerable reductions in shelf-life of food products, and food waste. Techniques to alter bioplastic properties?To arrive at a new generation of plastic products that fit within a circular economy, we need to be in a position to fine-tune and alter bioplastic properties at will. Table 1.1 summarizes the pros and cons of potential routes to do so. In light of a transition toward a circular economy, it is important to design materials that are:• biodegradable/compostable and/or recyclable.• meet the required material properties for its envisioned purpose.This can be challenging when considering multi-layered bioplastic films or by blending different bioplastics together given the limited biobased plastics that are currently available.Alternatively, the available biopolymers can be modified (e.g., chemical grafting [27]), or plasticizers and/or micro/nanoparticles can be added [28]. The latter route offers opportunities to create materials with additional functionality through the micro/nanoparticles of choice. Toyota was the first to patent a polymeric nanocomposite (nylon-6 composite 5% nano-clay polyamide [29]), which resulted in a significantly higher tensile strength and resistance to heat distortion. Interestingly, nanocomposites are widely applied in the aviation and automotive industry. Also in food packaging, they have been shown to lead to improved mechanical strength, barrier properties, and altered thermal profile [30][31][32][33][34][35]. Additionally, depending on the selected materials, nanocomposites even possess added functionality related to antioxidant/antimicrobial effects [26,[36][37][38][39]. Despite this wealth of evidence, the potential to use nanoparticles in bioplastic applications is highly underexplored and therefore the focus of this thesis. Adjusting existing processes Reuse, reduce, and recycle of traditional plastics (R9 -R1) Traditional and alternatives co-exist Development alternatives Circular bio-economy (> R0)

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Chitin Nanocrystal Hydrophobicity Adjustment by Fatty Acid Esterification for Improved Polylactic Acid Nanocomposites

Cited by 12 publications

References 28 publications

Comparison of the Degree of Acetylation of Chitin Nanocrystals Measured by Various Analysis Methods

Comparison of the Degree of Acetylation of Chitin Nanocrystals Measured by Various Analysis Methods

Chitin Nanocrystals Provide Antioxidant Activity to Polylactic Acid Films

Multiscale investigation and characterization of nanoparticle reinforced plastics : Toward a circular plastics economy

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