Biocomposite films

Jimenez, A., Latterini, L., and Kenny, J. M. (2014). Nano-biocomposite films with modified cellulose nanocrystals and synthesized silver nanoparticles, 101,1122-1133. 

Ghanbarzadeh, B., Oromiehi, A.R. Biodegradable biocomposite films based on whey protein and zein barrier, mechanical properties and AFM analysis. Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 43, 209-215 (2008)... 

Biocomposite films are also formed by redox polymers and enzymes with carbon paste or graphite epoxy resin matrices. Hale et have... 

Researchers have synthesised and characterised a highly conductive, porous and biocompatible MWNT/CHT biocomposite film by the freeze-drying technique. The process was performed by freezing a MWNT/CHT dispersion inside an aluminum mould, followed by drying. 

R. Bodirlau, C.A. Teaca, and I. Spiridon, Influence of natural fillers on the properties of starch-based biocomposite films. Compos. B 44, 575-583 (2013). 

The prepared condncting biocomposite films were characterized for their surface morphology and thermomechanical properties. The effect of incorporation of XCNTs into the biopolymeric matrix was studied and the results are discussed. Digital images of the select nanobiocomposite films corresponding to BCNTs are shown in Fig. 3.3. The biocomposite films without addition of BCNTs are transparent and flexible. It is seen... 

The thermal stability of the nanobiocomposites also increases as the proportion of GrC increases. This increase in thermal stability is also primarily due to the incorporation of GrC in biocomposite films. Scanning electron microscopic images of the broken biocomposite samples after tensile testing are shown in Fig. 3.5. The presence of GrC is seen on the fracture surfaces of the hybrid films, which are covered with several layers of biopolymers. It is evident that the collagen-chitosan/GrC composite films break typically at the place where the content of GrC is high. 

Fig. 3.6 shows the increase in electrical conductivity of collagen-chitosan biocomposite films as a function of the concentration of GrC. The conductivity studies were performed at room temperature, and the incorporation of GrC is found to greatly increase the conductivity. The conductivity of GrC-incorporated biocomposite films increases by almost seven orders of magnitude when compared with that of pure collagen-chitosan films. This increase in conductivity is primarily due to the presence of delocalized it electrons in the GrC, which is naturally doped with nitrogen and oxygen functionalities. Because of the presence of it electrons with sp hybridization, it is expected to show an improved electrical conductivity property as reported for other carbon materials such as fullerenes, MWCNTs. - ... 

In this chapter, we discussed possible methods for the formation of electrically conducting biocomposites using proteinaceous sohd biomasses arising from leather industries as wastes. The proteinaceous collagen wastes were blended with natural polymers (chitosan or GG) and different fillers such as GrC and nanotubes (ie, BCNTs and FWCNTs) to form hybrid-conducting biocomposite films. The formed biocomposife films were found fo exhibit promising mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. The thermal properties of both of the hybrid composite materials increase moderately with the increase in the addition of nanocarbons. The mechanical... 

Figure 3.6 Electrical conductivity of coUagen (Col)-chitosan (Ch) biocomposite films as a function of concentration of graphitic carbon (GrC).

Arocldanathan PM, Sekar S, Kumaran B, Sastry TP. Preparation, characterization and evaluation of biocomposite films containing chitosan and sago starch impregnated with silver nanoparticles. Int J Biol Maciomol. 2012 50(4) 939- 6. 

Avila A, Bierbrauer K, Pncci G, Lopez-Gonzalez M, Strumia M. Study of optimization of the synthesis and properties of biocomposite films based on grafted chitosan. J Food Eng 2012 109 752-761. 

Agustin MB, Ahmmad B, Leon ERPD, Buenaobra JL, Salazar JR, Hitose F (2013) Starch-based biocomposite films reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals from garlic stalks. Polym Compos 34 1325-1332... 

The electrochemical deposition approach was initially used for depositing orga-nofunctional silane sol-gel films for promoting adhesion between aluminum alloy and epoxy resin [Ij. Later, it was used for preparing silane films for corrosion protection of metals, electrochemical stripping analysis of metal ions, and microextraction of organic compounds [18,20,22,42,45]. The recent development of the electrochemical deposition of sol-gel-based composite films opens various applications such as encapsulating proteins, enzymes, and bacteria. In this section, we will show three main applications of eiectrodeposited sol-gel films, that is, corrosion protection and adhesion promotion, electrochemical sensors, and finally biocomposite films. Other applications such as solid-phase microextraction (SPME), nonlinear optics, antireflection, electrocatalysis, and superhydrophobic films are also discussed. 

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