Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
h e combination of the antibacterial properties of silver nanoparticles with cellulose
nanocrystals in the PLA (Figure 6.3A and Figure 6.3B) shows high potential to improve
functional active properties with important implications in the development of new
biodegradable materials for fresh food packaging applications. h e authors proved also
that the studied nanobiocomposites started their disintegration process in composting
conditions before and with a higher rate than pure PLA suggesting their prospective
advantages in industrial applications when short biodegradation times are required.
Finally, metal particles were combined with bacterial cellulose nanocrystals (BCNC)
in a poly (vinyl alcohol) PVA matrix (Figure 6.3C and Figure 6.3D). h e addition of
BCNC was benei cial in increasing the mechanical properties of PVA like modulus,
tensile strength, etc., due to their superior aspect ratio and reinforcing potential, at the
same time, nevertheless, elongation properties of these nanocomposites were reduced
making the i lms more brittle. h e addition of silver nanoparticles along with BCNC
in contrast helped to regain some of these drawbacks in the elongation properties,
while retaining other mechanical properties. A synergistic ef ect on the properties was
observed by combining these two nanomaterials, which can be benei cial in making
more biocompatible materials with improved properties for tissue engineering appli-
cations, apart from environmentally friendly food and medical packaging materials.
Additional functional properties exhibited by AgNPs like antimicrobial properties also
Figure 6.3
TEM images of modii ed cellulose (A) and silver distribution (B and insert) for PLA/NCC/
silver nanoparticle ternary nanobiocomposite; AFM images of (C) PVA nanocomposites containing
BCNC and (D) PVA nanocomposite containing both BCNC and AgNPs. Reprinted with permission
from [141, 161].
