Comparison of biodegradable chitosan-based composite films reinforced by different micron-sized plant fibers for food packaging

Ji Maocheng,Liu Xiaoyun,Li Jianyong,Li Fangyi,Man Jia,Li Jianfeng,Zhang Chuanwei,Sun Kaiqiang,Qiu Yinghua

School of Mechanical Engineering, Shandong University

Journal: 《Materials Letters》

Abstract:

To provide a fully degradable food packaging film with excellent performance, a chitosan (CS)-based film containing micron-sized plant fibers was prepared by the casting method. With the addition of different plant fibers—wheat straw fiber (WF), maize straw fiber (MF), rice straw fiber (RF), and sisal fiber (SF), a significant improvement in mechanical, water resistance, water vapor barrier, and thermal properties was observed. By comparison, the most significant enhancement effect was observed in CS/SF-based film. The tensile strength and elongation at break of this film were 58.44 MPa and 14.42%, respectively. Moreover, it exhibited excellent properties such as the highest water contact angle (118°), a moisture absorption rate of 5.14%, a low water vapor transmission rate (110.73 g·m-2·d-1), and high thermal stability. Considering the sustainability and attractive physical properties, the improved films showed great potential for food packaging.

Keywords: Polymeric composites; Fiber technology; Chitosan film; Plant fiber; Food packaging; Fully degradable

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