Chitin Nanofibrils in Poly(Lactic Acid) (PLA) Nanocomposites: Dispersion and Thermo-Mechanical Properties

Coltelli, Maria Beatrice; Cinelli, Patrizia; Gigante, Vito; Aliotta, Laura; Morganti, Pierfrancesco; Panariello, Luca; Lazzeri, Andrea

doi:10.3390/ijms20030504

Cited by 85 publications

(69 citation statements)

References 49 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The development of PLA nanocomposites with ChNCs [9,[14][15][16] has attracted considerable interest. Generally, PLA nanocomposites have been prepared by solvent casting technique because solvent casting is easy and the dispersion of ChNC into dissolved polymer is convenient as well, but it is difficult to upscale and also organic solvents are used if non-water-soluble polymer is used as matrix.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The aim of the present study is to further explore the knowledge of crystallization and investigate how ChNC affects the crystallinity and the thermal, optical, barrier, and hydrolytic degradation properties of nanocomposites. Isothermal crystallization was carried out at different temperatures (135, 130, 125, and 110 • C) and holding times (5,15, and 40 min) using compression molding. The morphology and dimensions of the ChNCs were analyzed by atomic force microscopy (AFM).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Effect of Chitin Nanocrystals on Crystallization and Properties of Poly(lactic acid)-Based Nanocomposites

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The crystalline phase of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) has crucial effects on its own properties and nanocomposites. In this study, the isothermal crystallization of PLA, triethyl citrate-plasticized PLA (PLA–TEC), and its nanocomposite with chitin nanocrystals (PLA–TEC–ChNC) at different temperatures and times was investigated, and the resulting properties of the materials were characterized. Both PLA and PLA–TEC showed extremely low crystallinity at isothermal temperatures of 135, 130, 125 °C and times of 5 or 15 min. In contrast, the addition of 1 wt % of ChNCs significantly improved the crystallinity of PLA under the same conditions owing to the nucleation effect of the ChNCs. The samples were also crystallized at 110 °C to reach their maximal crystallinity, and PLA–TEC–ChNC achieved 48% crystallinity within 5 min, while PLA and PLA–TEC required 40 min to reach a similar level. Moreover, X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the addition of ChNCs resulted in smaller crystallite sizes, which further influenced the barrier properties and hydrolytic degradation of the PLA. The nanocomposites had considerably lower barrier properties and underwent faster degradation compared to PLA–TEC110. These results confirm that the addition of ChNCs in PLA leads to promising properties for packaging applications.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Chitin Nanocrystals on Crystallization and Properties of Poly(lactic acid)-Based Nanocomposites

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…However, this approach is connected with numerous preparative steps, including, for example, mechanochemical disassembly, particulate leaching, gas foaming, thermally induced phase separation, electrospinning, dissolution of chitin in special liquids [122,125,126], and its supercritical drying [127]. Alternatively, diverse fractions of flakes, powders and nano forms of chitin (i.e., nanowhiskers, nanofibrils and nanocrystals) [128][129][130] can be obtained from demineralized and deproteinated crustaceans' chitin. Such scaffolding strategies [131], however, are connected with technological difficulties and other disadvantages which can be a critical weakness in terms of cost and future clinical use [132].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

3D Chitin Scaffolds of Marine Demosponge Origin for Biomimetic Mollusk Hemolymph-Associated Biomineralization Ex-Vivo

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Structure-based tissue engineering requires large-scale 3D cell/tissue manufacture technologies, to produce biologically active scaffolds. Special attention is currently paid to naturally pre-designed scaffolds found in skeletons of marine sponges, which represent a renewable resource of biomaterials. Here, an innovative approach to the production of mineralized scaffolds of natural origin is proposed. For the first time, a method to obtain calcium carbonate deposition ex vivo, using living mollusks hemolymph and a marine-sponge-derived template, is specifically described. For this purpose, the marine sponge Aplysin aarcheri and the terrestrial snail Cornu aspersum were selected as appropriate 3D chitinous scaffold and as hemolymph donor, respectively. The formation of calcium-based phase on the surface of chitinous matrix after its immersion into hemolymph was confirmed by Alizarin Red staining. A direct role of mollusks hemocytes is proposed in the creation of fine-tuned microenvironment necessary for calcification ex vivo. The X-ray diffraction pattern of the sample showed a high CaCO3 amorphous content. Raman spectroscopy evidenced also a crystalline component, with spectra corresponding to biogenic calcite. This study resulted in the development of a new biomimetic product based on ex vivo synthetized ACC and calcite tightly bound to the surface of 3D sponge chitin structure.

show abstract

“…Aromatic rings and methoxyl groups, in fact, characterize the hydrophobic parts of lignin and, at a molecular level, these are scattered around the hydrophilic aliphatic and phenolic OH groups [68][69][70]. Therefore, lignin nanoparticles might be promising alternatives for producing functional polymer composites [71,72], characterized for their UV shielding and antioxidant properties due to the phenolic hydroxyl groups. Therefore, their preparation, offering unique properties for the increased surface area, has attracted interest in the field of biomedicine and cosmetics.…”

Section: Ligninmentioning

confidence: 99%

A New Carrier for Advanced Cosmeceuticals

Morganti

Coltelli

2019

Cosmetics

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Cosmetic products are generally formulated as emulsions, ointments, solutions or powders containing active ingredients. According to EU legislation, a cosmetic product is “any substance or preparation intended to be placed in contact with the various external parts of the human body with a view exclusively or mainly to cleaning, perfuming them, changing their appearance, and/or correcting body odors and/or protecting them or keeping them in good conditions”. However, science advancement in both active carriers and ingredients has streamlined the process through which many cosmetic products by their delivery systems can induce modifications on the skin physiology. This is the reason why Reed and Kligman redefined these products as “cosmeceuticals”, which refers to the combination of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Until recently, the term of cosmeceuticals has not had legal significance. The so-called cosmeceuticals, in fact, may induce modifications on the skin physiology, modifying, for example, transepidermal water loss, keratinocytes cohesion and turnover, modulating the inflammatory cascade, and/or altering the surface microbiota by the activity of the preservatives content. For these reasons, they are claimed to have medical or drug-like benefits. Naturally, their effectiveness on minor skin disorders or mild skin abnormalities has to be shown by in vitro and in vivo studies. On the other hand, their formulations contain emulsifiers, preservatives, and other chemicals which, by their cumulative use, may provoke side effects, such as allergic and/or sensitization phenomena. Moreover, many ingredients and packaging for such products are not biodegradable. In this study, we would like to introduce an innovative category of cosmeceuticals made by biodegradable nonwoven tissues. These cosmeceutical tissues, produced through the use of natural fibers, may bind different active ingredients and therefore become effective as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, sun-protective, whitening, or anti-aging products, depending on the ingredient(s) used. Differently from the usual cosmetics, they do not contain preservatives, emulsifiers, colors, and other chemicals. They can be applied as dried tissue on wet skin, remaining in loco for around 30 min, slowly releasing the active ingredients entrapped into the fibers. It is interesting to underline that the tissue, acting as a carrier, has its own effectiveness via chitin and lignin polymers with an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity. When hydrolyzed by the human microbiota enzymes, they give rise to ingredients used as cell nourishment or energy. This paper will review part of the scientific research results, supporting this new category of biodegradable cosmetic products known as facial mask sheets.

show abstract

Chitin Nanofibrils in Poly(Lactic Acid) (PLA) Nanocomposites: Dispersion and Thermo-Mechanical Properties

Cited by 85 publications

References 49 publications

Effect of Chitin Nanocrystals on Crystallization and Properties of Poly(lactic acid)-Based Nanocomposites

Effect of Chitin Nanocrystals on Crystallization and Properties of Poly(lactic acid)-Based Nanocomposites

3D Chitin Scaffolds of Marine Demosponge Origin for Biomimetic Mollusk Hemolymph-Associated Biomineralization Ex-Vivo

A New Carrier for Advanced Cosmeceuticals

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About