Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
13
Gas Barrier Properties of Biopolymer-
based Nanocomposites: Application
in Food Packaging
Sarat Kumar Swain
Department of Chemistry, Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology,
Burla, Sambalpur, Odisha, India
Abstract
A series of biopolymer- and protein-based nanobiocomposites have been pre-
pared with reinforcement of dif erent nanoparticles such as silicon carbide (SiC),
boron nitride (BN), carbon nanotubes and nanoclays. h e bionanocomposites
were prepared by solution technique at various wt% of nonomaterials and Fourier
transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and i eld emission scanning electron
microscopy (FESEM) were used for characterizing them. h e mechanical, ther-
mal, rheological, biodegradable, chemical resistance and oxygen barrier proper-
ties of biopolymer-based nanocomposites were studied. In this chapter, gas barrier
properties of bionanocomposites were investigated for use in food packaging
applications. A substantial reduction in oxygen permeability was achieved due to
uniform distrubution of nanoparticles with biopolymer matrix. Since nanopar-
ticles have a higher aspect ratio than their microscale counterparts, gas barrier
properties were improved. h e well-dispersed nanomaterials within the biopoly-
mer- and protein-based matrixes created huddles for gas penetration. h e theories
of substantial reduction in gas permeability of nanocomposites due to insertion
of nanoi llers are studied. Also, antimicrobial properties and detection of gas pro-
duced by food spoilage are discussed.
Keywords: Proteins, nanocomposites, aspect ratio, permeability, antimicrobial
 
 
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