Improving Thermal, Mechanical, and Barrier Properties of Feather Keratin/Polyvinyl Alcohol/Tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane Nanocomposite Films by Incorporating Sodium Montmorillonite and TiO2

Abstract

In this study, feather keratin/polyvinyl alcohol/tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (FK/PVA/Tris) bionanocomposite films containing two types of nanoparticles, namely one-dimensional sodium montmorillonite (MMT) clay platelets (0.5, 1, 3, and 5 wt%) and three-dimensional TiO2 nanospheres (0.5, 1, 3, and 5 wt%), are prepared using solvent casting method. X-ray diffraction studies confirm the completely exfoliated structure of FK/PVA/Tris/MMT nanocomposites. The successful formation of new hydrogen bonds between the hydroxyl groups of the film matrix and the nanofillers is confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The tensile strength, elongation at break, and initial degradation temperature of the films are enhanced after MMT and TiO2 incorporation. The water vapor permeability, oxygen permeability, and light transmittance decrease with increase in TiO2 and MMT contents. In summary, nanoblending is an effective method to promote the application of FK/PVA/Tris blend films in the packaging field.

Improving the Performance of Feather Keratin/Polyvinyl Alcohol/Tris(hydroxymethyl)Aminomethane Nanocomposite Films by Incorporating Graphene Oxide or Graphene

“…This phenomenon is similar to the thermal degradation processes of sodium montmorillonite (MMT) and TiO 2 nano-blend films [13]. The temperatures associated with the different degradation stages and the final residual amounts are listed in Table 2; the thermal data for P-40-25 were taken from our previous study [13]. In the first stage, when the mass loss reached 10%, T d1 for the nanocomposite film was 20 to 36 • C higher than that for the P-40-25 film.…”

“…These results show that the addition of GO and graphene improved the water-vapor barrier performance of the blend films, and that the two types of nanosheets demonstrate better water-vapor barrier performance than films with MMT or TiO 2 [13]. Moreover, the addition of graphene nanosheets most significantly improved the water-vapor barrier performance of the blend film.…”

“…The second mass loss stage ( 2) occurred between 200 and 500 • C, and is mainly related to the degradation behavior of the mixture, i.e., this phase is accompanied by decomposition during the melting process [33]. This phenomenon is similar to the thermal degradation processes of sodium montmorillonite (MMT) and TiO 2 nano-blend films [13]. The temperatures associated with the different degradation stages and the final residual amounts are listed in Table 2; the thermal data for P-40-25 were taken from our previous study [13].…”

“…Nanocomposite technology that uses low-filler-content nanofillers (e.g., carbon nanotubes, graphene, clay, and TiO 2 ) has proven to be an effective way to produce new materials with customizable properties and high performance [11][12][13]. The mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties of the material can be significantly improved by adding a small amount of nanofillers to the system and ensuring that the nanomaterials are uniformly dispersed throughout the system.…”

Plasticization of Cottonseed Protein/Polyvinyl Alcohol Blend Films

“…The preparation of biodegradable plastics from renewable biomass resources has, therefore, become a research hotspot, and is expected to aid in the replacement of petroleum-based plastics. During the past decade, low-cost waste biomass, such as feathers, soybeans, corn, and cottonseed meal, have emerged as promising raw materials for biodegradable plastics [1][2][3][4]. Among them, cottonseed meal is considered an appropriate choice.…”