κ-Carrageenan was combined
to a natural low-transition temperature
mixture composed of fructose, glycerol, and water in a 1:1:5 molar
ratio (FGW) to generate fully biobased physical gels through a simple
method. The resulting gels can be easily prepared in various shapes.
As for their hydrogel analogues, the rheological characterization
of FGW-based samples evidenced thermosensitive gelation, attributed
to the formation of aggregated H-bonded helices composed of κ-carrageenan
chains. FGW-based gels exhibit a gel–sol transition temperature
(T
g/s) higher than the one of hydrogels
with recoverable and reversible viscoelastic properties upon successive
heating/cooling cycles. SAXS analysis revealed a more extended conformation
of chains in FGW that leads to more physical cross-linking junction
zones within the materials. Such peculiar spatial internal organization
provides a mechanical reinforcement demonstrated by compression tests.
In conclusion, the use of the FGW solvent allows for designing κ-carrageenan
physical gels with enhanced thermal and mechanical properties.
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