All-polysaccharide composite films based on calcium alginate reinforced synergistically by multidimensional cellulose and hemicellulose fractionated from corn husks. (March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chen, Zhongzheng; Li, Panpan; Ji, Quan; Xing, Yacheng; Ma, Xiaomei; Xia, Yanzhi
• Is Part Of: Materials today communications. Volume 34(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-03
• Subjects: A. Biocomposite -- A. Nanocomposites -- A. Thin films -- B. Mechanical properties; Materials science -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mtcomm.2022.105090
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-4928

Abstract

Abstract: Lignocellulosic components in corn husk were fractionated successfully by sonication-assisted mild alkaline treatment followed by deep eutectic solvent (DES) treatment. The extracted hemicelluloses included a water-soluble macromolecular hemicellulose with Mn of 25.21 kDa as well as a water-insoluble hemicellulose, which formed a stable nano-particle dispersion after mechanical homogenization. The fractionated cellulose dispersed stably in water in nano-sheets after ball-milling. The obtained nano-hemicellulose and nano-cellulose were employed collaboratively for the first time to modify marine bio-based calcium alginate film. It was found collaboration of small amount of nano-cellulose and nano-hemicellulose had a synergistic reinforcing effect and significant gas barrier effect. A maximum tensile strength and breakage elongation of ∼98 MPa and ∼4.5% was achieved respectively with 2 wt% loading at 9:1 wt ratio of cellulose to hemicellulose, 2.2 and 1.7 times higher respectively than pristine alginate film. The moisture and oxygen permeability of the composite film decreased by ∼46% and ∼83% respectively at the same dosage. Additionally, the toughness of the bio-composite films can be improved with moderate addition of glycerol. The excellent performance makes the composite films potential candidates for substituting synthetic plastics in packaging. Graphical Abstract: ga1 Highlights: Hemicellulose nanoparticles were obtained by homogenization after alkaline treatment. Nano-hemicellulose was stabilized by water-soluble hemicellulose. Ball-milling after DES dissolution of lignin produced cellulose nanosheets. Collaboration of hemicellulose and cellulose has a synergetic reinforcing effect. Hemicellulose and cellulose hinders the gas permeability of alginate film markedly.