Investigation of gelatin/multi‐walled carbon nanotube nanocomposite films as packaging materials

Abstract

Gelatin composite films were prepared from gelatin solutions (10% w/v) containing multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT, 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2% w/w gelatin) as nanofiller. The water solubility, water swelling, water uptake, water vapor permeability (WVP), mechanical, and antibacterial properties of the films were examined. Water solubility, water swelling, water uptake, and WVP for gelatin films were 45 ± 1%, 821 ± 42%, 45 ± 1.1%, and 0.4 ± 0.022 g mm/m2 kPa h, respectively. Incorporation of MWCNT caused a significant decrease in water solubility, water swelling, water uptake, and WVP. Gelatin/MWCNT films containing 1–1.5% MWCNT showed the lowest water vapor transmission. Tensile strength, elongation at break, and Young's modulus for gelatin films were 13.4 ± 1.2 MPa, 95 ± 5%, and 45.4 ± 7 MPa, respectively. Incorporation of MWCNT caused a significant increase in tensile strength and decrease in the elongation at break. The largest mechanical strength was found at 1.5% MWCNT. All gelatin/MWCNT films showed significant antibacterial activities against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Our results suggest that the gelatin/MWCNT composites films could be used as a very attractive alternative to traditional materials for different biomedical and food applications.

Physical and Mechanical Properties of Palm Kernel Oil-Based Polyester Polyurethane/Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube Composites

“…It can be seen that the WVTR values of pure PU (PU-0) and PU-MWNTs composite films (PU-2, PU-3, and PU-5) were in the range of 404-732 g m -2 d -1 ( Table 2). Addition of MWNTs slightly decreased the WVTR values which could be due to the homogenous dispersion of MWNT aggregates in the polyurethane matrix and that blocked the water vapor transmission [24]. A study reported by Haider and co-workers (2007) was in accordance with our results whereby homogenous dispersion of MWNT aggregates in polymer matrix reduced water vapor transmission [27].…”

“…Incorporation of MWNTs reduced swelling of the PU films possibly due to the increasing in hydrophobicity of the polyurethane matrix. This phenomenon possibly was due to the hydrophobic property of the MWNTs [23][24][25][26].…”

Synthesis of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) from plastic waste & analysis of garlic coated gelatin/MWCNTs nanocomposite films as food packaging material

“…Gelatin-based nanocomposite films reinforced by low concentrations of MWCNTs can be synthesized in order to obtain improvements in water solubility, water swelling, water uptake, water vapor permeability (WVP), tensile strength, elongation at break, Young's modulus and antibacterial properties. These nanocomposite films can be used in food and biomedical applications as an alternative to conventional synthetic polymer [12].…”

“…These synthesized MWCNTs were used as nanofillers to develop the gelatin/MWCNT nanocomposite films. The water solubility, water swelling, oil swelling and antibacterial properties of these films were examined [12]. Garlic microparticles are synthesized using ball milling technique.…”

Palm kernel oil-based polyester polyurethane composites incorporated with multi-walled carbon nanotubes for biomedical application

“…Addition of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) slightly decreased the WVTR values which could be due to dispersion of MWNTs in the polyurethane matrix and blocked the water vapor transmission (Kavoosi et al 2014). However, these values still remain within the range of WVTR of commercial wound dressings values at 90-2893 g m −2 d −1 (Wu et al 1995).…”