Cellulose-glycerol-polyvinyl alcohol composite films for food packaging: Evaluation of water adsorption, mechanical properties, light-barrier properties and transparency

Patricia Cazón, Manuel Vázquez, Gonzalo Velazquez

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

133 Scopus citations

Abstract

Nowadays consumers are aware of environmental problems. As an alternative to petrochemical polymers for food packaging, researchers have been focused on biopolymeric materials as raw material. The aim of this study was to evaluate mechanical properties (toughness, burst strength and distance to burst), water adsorption, light-barrier properties and transparency of composite films based on cellulose, glycerol and polyvinyl alcohol. Scanning electron microscopy, spectral analysis (FT-IR and UV–VIS-NIR) and differential scanning calorimetry were performed to explain the morphology, structural and thermal properties of the films. Results showed that polyvinyl alcohol enhances the toughness of films up to 44.30 MJ/m3. However, toughness decreases when glycerol concentration is increased (from 23.41 to 10.55 MJ/m3). Water adsorption increased with increasing polyvinyl alcohol concentration up to 222%. Polyvinyl alcohol increased the film thickness. The films showed higher burst strength (up to 12014 g) than other biodegradable films. The films obtained have optimal values of transparency like those values of synthetic polymers. Glycerol produced a UV protective effect in the films, an important effect for food packaging to prevent lipid oxidative deterioration. Results showed that it is feasible to obtain cellulose-glycerol-polyvinyl alcohol composite films with improved properties.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)432-443
Number of pages12
JournalCarbohydrate Polymers
Volume195
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Sep 2018

Keywords

  • Burst strength
  • Cellulose
  • Distance to burst
  • Toughness
  • Transparency
  • Water adsorption

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