Chitosan/Boron nitride (BN) composites were prepared by solution method using CuSO4/glycine chelate complex as the catalysis with variable percentage of boron nitride loading. The dispersion of BN with the chitosan polymer was achieved with sonication at power of 120 W and frequency of 80 kHz. The chemical interactions of chitosan and BN were studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The structure of chitosan and BN composites were investigated by XRD and TEM. It was observed that the BN were dispersed with chitosan matrix through intercalation. The quantitative identification of composites was investigated by Energy Dispersive X‐ray Spectroscopy and Selected Area Electron Diffraction. Thermal stabilities of chitosan/BN composites were studied by thermogravimetric analysis. It was found that, the thermal stability of the chitosan/BN composites was increased compare with virgin chitosan. The oxygen barrier properties of chitosan/BN composites were measured using gas permeameter. A substantial reduction in oxygen permeability was observed increasing boron nitride concentrations by which the synthesized composite materials may applicable in packaging industry.

No abstract

The bionanocomposite of albumin bovine with nanoclay (albumin/clay) has been successfully prepared by solution technique using CuSO4/glycine chelate complex as the catalyst with various percentage of nanoclay loading. The uniform dispersion of nanoclay with the albumin bovine matrix was achieved by continuous sonication technique. The micro structural interactions of albumin bovine with nanoclay were evidenced by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The structure of the albumin bovine/clay composites was investigated by X‐ray diffraction and high resolution transmission electron microscopy. The thermal stability of the albumin/clay composites was more than that of the virgin albumin and remarkable increase in thermal property was obtained with increase in clay content. The oxygen barrier property of albumin/clay composites was measured and it was observed that the oxygen permeability was substantially reduced due to increase in nanoclay loading. The biodegradable property of albumin and its composites were measured. It was noticed that the pure albumin was degradable in 5 days whereas the albumin/clay bionanocomposites were stable up to 180 days. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers

Starch/clay bionanocomposites were prepared by incorporation of varying concentrations of nanoclay (CloisiteV R 30B) through solution blending. The chemical interaction of starch with clay was evidenced from ultraviolet-visible (UV-visible) and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The material was also characterized through X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy study. The bionanocomposites were found to be more thermally stable as revealed from thermogravimetric analysis. The fire retardancy of the bionanocomposites was investigated from limiting oxygen index measurement. The result showed improvement of this property with increase in clay loading. From the measurement of oxygen permeabilities, it was found that the oxygen barrier property of starch/clay (10%) was improved by more than three times compared to virgin starch. The biodegradability of the material combined with the above mentioned properties could make it applicable as food packaging material.

No abstract