Preparation and Characterization of Biodegradable Polymer Membranes for Packaging and Pervaporation Application

Abstract

research focused on development of biodegradable membrane for pervaporation and food newlinepackaging application. In line to this, hybrid/composite membranes like Chitosan-capped newlinesilver nanoparticle (CS-capped AgNPs)-incorporated poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), PVA/Gelatin newline(Ge)/zeolite, and sodium alginate (SA) incorporated Nanobacterial cellulose (NBC) were newlinedeveloped for PV application, whereas NBC incorporated into biodegradable PVA newlinemembranes for food packaging application were developed. All the developed membranes newlinewere characterized by different characterization techniques like Fourier transform infrared newline(FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), wide-angle X-ray diffraction newline(WAXD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and universal testing newlinemachine (UTM). All membranes developed were hydrophilic in nature as determined by newlinecontact angle and swelling studies. FTIR demonstrated compatible interaction of base newlinemembrane with organic and inorganic additives, even supported by WAXD and SEM results. newlineThe PV performance of the developed membranes were evaluated. Among the developed newlinemembranes optimal PV performance for 2 wt.% CS-capped AgNPs (M-4)in terms of total newlineflux and selectivity was 12.40 ± 0.20 × 10and#8722;2 kg/m2 h and 3612.33 ± 6.03 at 30 °C, newlinerespectively. The PV performance of PVA/Ge membrane with 7.5 wt.% zeolite exhibited total newlineflux of 15.782× 10and#8722;2 kg/m2 h and separation factor of 931.04 at 30 oC. The PV performance of newlineSA-NBC membrane with 4 wt.% Nanobacterial cellulose gave 12.080 × 10and#8722;2 kg m 2h 1 as newlinetotal flux and separation factor of 4214.86 at 30 oC. This confirms efficient membrane newlinecapability to separate water from azeotropic aqueous ethanol. Further biodegradable NBC newlineincorporated PVA membranes were tested for food packaging in terms of tensile strength, newlinedegradability and antimicrobial properties. M-10 mass % NBC showed highest tensile newlinestrength of 53.33 MPa and 235.30% elongation at breakage, reiterating role of NBC to newlineprovide stiffness, while PVA imparted elasticity. Further it also showed antimicrobial newlineproperty against food microbes and soil degradability behaviour. The membranes tested for newlinepackaging revealed that fruits were protected against spoilage caused by micro-organisms. newlineHence prepared M-10 mass% NBC membrane can effectively substitute conventional plastic newlinein food packaging. newline