Cellulose nanofibrils reinforced xylan-alginate composites: Mechanical, thermal and barrier properties

Cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) can be used as an effective reinforcement material for biopolymer films intended for food packaging applications. The aim of this study was to improve the mechanical and barrier properties of xylan-alginate films by incorporating CNFs into the xylan-alginate matrix. CNFs was produced from maize stalk waste residues through a combination of chemical and mechanical treatment. The CNFs was incorporated into the xylan-alginate matrix between 1 and 10 wt%. The suitability of the CNFs reinforced composite films for food pack-aging applications was investigated by testing the mechanical, thermal and optical properties as well as the mois-ture sorption, solubility and water vapour permeability of the films. The CNFs produced had fibre diameters between 10 and 80 nm and transmission electron microscopy images showed that the CNFs were highly entangled hence forming a web like structure. It was found that the incorporation of CNFs into the xylan-alginate matrix increased the tensile strength and Young's modulus of the films. The incorporation of CNFs im -proved the WVP of the films but did not show any significant effect on the thermal properties of the films. (c) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

In this study, cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) were incorporated into xylan-alginate films to enhance mechanical and barrier properties for food packaging applications. The CNFs had fiber diameters between 10 and 80 nm and formed a highly entangled web-like structure. The incorporation of CNFs into the xylan-alginate matrix increased tensile strength and Young's modulus of the films, while improving water vapor permeability without significant impact on thermal properties.