Effects of Preparation Method on the Physicochemical Properties of Cationic Nanocellulose and Starch Nanocomposites

Abstract

Nanocellulose (NC) has attracted attention in recent years for the advantages offered by its unique characteristics. In this study, the effects of the preparation method on the properties of starch films were investigated by preparing NC from cationic-modified microcrystalline cellulose (MD-MCC) using three methods: Acid hydrolysis (AH), high-pressure homogenization (HH), and high-intensity ultrasonication (US). When MD-MCC was used as the starting material, the yield of NC dramatically increased compared to the NC yield obtained from unmodified MCC and the increased zeta potential improved its suspension stability in water. The NC prepared by the different methods had a range of particle sizes and exhibited needle-like structures with high aspect ratios. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra indicated that trimethyl quaternary ammonium salt groups were introduced to the cellulose backbone during etherification. AH-NC had a much lower maximum decomposition temperature (Tmax) than HH-NC or US-NC. The starch/HH-NC film exhibited the best water vapor barrier properties because the HH-NC particles were well-dispersed in the starch matrix, as demonstrated by the surface morphology of the film. Our results suggest that cationic NC is a promising reinforcing agent for the development of starch-based biodegradable food-packaging materials.

Recent advances in starch‐based films toward food packaging applications: Physicochemical, mechanical, and functional properties

“…Sartori and Menegalli (2016) determined that producing CNFs from banana peels at lower reaction concentrations resulted in better reinforcing of banana starch films (Table 2, entry 46) and therefore, better mechanical and barrier properties. Han et al (2019) examined the effect of NCs made from CHPTAC-modified microcrystalline cellulose. In this study, three standard methods of NC production were screened-acid hydrolysis, ultrasonication, or high-pressure homogenization-to determine which method produced NCs capable of reinforcing starch films the most effectively.…”

“…Han et al. (2019) examined the effect of NCs made from CHPTAC‐modified microcrystalline cellulose. In this study, three standard methods of NC production were screened–acid hydrolysis, ultrasonication, or high‐pressure homogenization–to determine which method produced NCs capable of reinforcing starch films the most effectively.…”

Effect of the Addition of Corn Husk Cellulose Nanocrystals in the Development of a Novel Edible Film

“…This peak would be influenced mainly by the intensity of S (Figure 8a), whose energy contribution was 2804.90 J/g. It would be mainly due to the energy contribution of S (9.66 J/g) and G [25] since the starch when exceeding 60 • C, presents an irreversible swelling, achieving the destructuring of its granules, and a highly stable glassy structure, with strong molecular movement in transition to melting [80,96,97]. It establishes strong bonds due to the hydroxyl groups [27,37,39], which is why this material is widely used in the production of edible films [24,29,80].…”

Nanocellulose and Nanocarbons Based Hybrid Materials: Synthesis, Characterization and Applications

“…The authors proved that such an interesting cellulosic derivative, which exhibited very low toxicity, is considered as a good candidate as an immunomodulator and as vaccine nano-adjuvants. In another work, Han et al investigated the physicochemical properties of cationic nanocellulose (cationic NC) and starch nanocomposites [ 20 ]. The authors prepared cationic NC from cationic-modified microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) using different approaches, i.e., acid hydrolysis, high-pressure homogenization, and high-intensity ultrasonication.…”