title: Preparation, characterization, mechanical and barrier properties investigation of chitosan-clay nanocomposites.
abstract: In the current study the effect of dilution of chitosan acetate solution and of the use of a reflux-solution method on the morphology, the mechanical and water barrier properties of chitosan based nanocomposites is being investigated. Two series of nanocomposite films from two chitosan acetate solutions with 2 w/v% and 1 w/v% in chitosan were prepared, with 3, 5 and 10 wt% Na-montmorillonite (NaMMT) and/or 30 wt% glycerol. Intercalation of NaMMT was more effective in films based on 2 w/v% solutions which presented decreased hydrated crystallinity. Upon NaMMT addition an enhancement was found in stiffness and strength (up to 100%) and a remarkable decrease in the elongation at break (up to 75%) and water vapor permeability (WVP) (up to 65%). This enhancement was less pronounced in 1 w/v% systems. Addition of glycerol had a negative effect on the stiffness, strength and WVP, and a positive effect on the elongation at break and the absorbed water. Compared with the conventional solution cast method, the reflux treatment led to a significant improvement of the tested properties of nanocomposite films.
authors.affiliation: Department of Business Administration of Food and Agricultural Enterprises, University of Patras, Agrinio 30100, Greece. Electronic address: agiannak@cc.uoi.gr.
authors.forename: Aris
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giannakas
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Engineering, University of Ioannina, Ioannina 45110, Greece. Electronic address: kalouda.grigoriadi@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Kalouda
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Grigoriadi
authors.affiliation: Department of Business Administration of Food and Agricultural Enterprises, University of Patras, Agrinio 30100, Greece. Electronic address: aleontiu@cc.uoi.gr.
authors.forename: Areti
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Leontiou
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Engineering, University of Ioannina, Ioannina 45110, Greece. Electronic address: nbarkoul@cc.uoi.gr.
authors.forename: Nektaria-Marianthi
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Barkoula
authors.affiliation: Department of Business Administration of Food and Agricultural Enterprises, University of Patras, Agrinio 30100, Greece. Electronic address: alantavo@cc.uoi.gr.
authors.forename: Athanasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ladavos
mesh_terms: D001546:Bentonite / Q000737:chemistry; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry*; D005990:Glycerol / Q000737:chemistry; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D001546:Bentonite; D048271:Chitosan; D005990:Glycerol
keywords: Barrier properties; Chitosan; Clay; Mechanical properties; Nanocomposites