Bionanocomposites based on gelatin matrix and nanocellulose

Cellulose nanofibres (CNF) and nanocrystals (CNC) have been used to develop bionanocomposite films based on a protein matrix. Nanocrystals were isolated using different hydrolysis times which affect in CNC aspect ratio. For obtaining bionanocomposites films, solvent casting method was used. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and oxygen and water vapour permeability tests were carried out to analyse the effect of nanocellulose addition to gelatin matrix. Gelatin matrix and nanocomposites tensile properties and fractured surface morphologies were also studied. After the addition of nanocellulose to gelatin matrix tensile strength decreased because there is a lack of adhesion between nanocellulose and gelatin matrix. Nanocellulose contributes to improve the excellent oxygen gas barrier properties of gelatin. Gelatin T-g value depends on the water content and shifted to higher temperatures as water content decreases. The addition of nanocellulose also slightly shifted dry gelatin T-g to higher temperatures. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.