The optimization of physico-mechanical properties of bionanocomposite films based on gluten/ carboxymethyl cellulose/ cellulose nanofiber using response surface methodology

In the present study, new biodegradable nanocomposite films were produced. The effect of wheat gluten (WG) (1-2.5 wt%), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) (0.5-1 wt%) and cellulose nanofiber (CNF) (0-10 wt% based on gluten and CMC biopolymers solid matter in each formula) concentration on water vapor permeability (WVP), mechanical and color properties of the biodegradable nanocomposites were investigated using response surface methodology (RSM). Regression models were also developed for all responses as a function of linear, interaction and quadratic terms of WG/CMC/CNF concentrations. The optimum point with 1 wt% gluten, 0.686 wt% CMC and 8.549 wt% CNF for a maximum desirability of 0.878 was obtained. Furthermore, the microstructure, surface topography and the distribution quality of cellulose nanofiber in the biopolymer matrix were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X ray diffraction (XRD) analysis.