Simple, One-Pot Method for Preparing Transparent Ethyl Cellulose Films with Good Mechanical Properties

Abstract

In this research, ethyl cellulose films were prepared by a simple, easy, controlled one-pot method using either ethanol or ethyl lactate as solvents, the films being formed at 6 °C. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles were incorporated to improve the oxygen transmission and water vapour transmission rates of the obtained films. This method used no plasticizers, and flexible materials with good mechanical properties were obtained. The resulting solvent-free and transparent ethyl cellulose films exhibited good mechanical properties and unique free-shapable properties. The obtained materials had similar properties to those reported in the literature, where plasticizers were incorporated into ethyl cellulose films with an elastic modulus of 528 MPa. Contact angles showed the hydrophobic nature of all the prepared materials, with contact angles between 80 and 108°. Micrographs showed the smooth surfaces of the prepared samples and porous intersections with honeycomb-like structures. The oxygen and water vapor transmission rates were the lowest for the ethyl cellulose films prepared in ethyl lactate, these being 615 cm3·m−2·day−1 and 7.8 gm−2·day−1, respectively, showing that the films have promise for food packaging applications.

A Novel Intrauterine Device for the Spatio-Temporal Release of Norethindrone Acetate as a Counter-Estrogenic Intervention in the Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause

“…The presence of OH groups was confirmed by a less pronounced but discernible peak at 3486 cm −1 . Furthermore, the spectrum exhibited small yet sharp peaks at 2977 cm −1 and 2872 cm −1 , corresponding to CHO stretching vibrations, which in alignment with results reported previously in the literature [54,55]. The FTIR spectrum of pristine NETA exhibited two distinct peaks.…”

Hybrid Ethylcellulose Polymeric Films: Ag(I)‐Based Components and Curcumin as Reinforcing Ingredients for Enhanced Food Packaging Properties

“…Bio-based polymers, indeed, can act as both passive and active food packaging materials, due, in their film formulation, to their mechanical strength, barrier performance and thermal stabilities as well as ability to actively prevent food spoilage by antioxidant and antimicrobial mechanism of action. [3][4][5][6] In the case of antimicrobial food packaging materials several methods of preparation are known. Among the most frequently employed, the incorporation of antimicrobial agents directly into the polymer network requires the knowledge of the mechanism of action as well as the controlled release of the antimicrobial substances.…”

“…Together with minimized effects on the environmental impact, biopolymers derived from renewable biomass offer additional relevant properties related with the preservation of quality of food, its safety and extend of shelf‐life. Bio‐based polymers, indeed, can act as both passive and active food packaging materials, due, in their film formulation, to their mechanical strength, barrier performance and thermal stabilities as well as ability to actively prevent food spoilage by antioxidant and antimicrobial mechanism of action [3–6] . In the case of antimicrobial food packaging materials several methods of preparation are known.…”