Revalorization of sunflower stalks as novel sources of cellulose nanofibrils and nanocrystals and their effect on wheat gluten bionanocomposite properties.
Novel gluten based bionanocomposites reinforced with cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) extracted from sunflower stalks by respectively a steam explosion treatment and a hydrolysis procedure, were prepared by casting/evaporation. The extracted cellulose nanomaterials, both CNC and CNF, were embedded in gluten matrix and their effect was investigated. Morphological investigations highlighted that gluten based bionanocomposites showed a homogenous morphology, the absence of visible cellulose nanoreinforcements, and the presence of holes for Gluten_CNF nanocomposites. Gluten_CNF showed a reduction of water vapour permeability coefficients but the values are higher respect to gluten reinforced with CNC. This behaviour could be related to the ability of CNC to increase the tortuous path of gas molecules. Moreover, the results from thermal, mechanical and barrier properties confirmed the strong interactions obtained between CNC and gluten matrix during the process. The study suggested the possibility to re-valorise agricultural wastes with potential applications as reinforcement in polymer matrix bionanocomposites.
University of Perugia, Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, UdR INSTM, Strada di Pentima 4, 05100 Terni, Italy. Electronic address: elena.fortunati@unipg.it.
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Fortunati
University of Perugia, Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, UdR INSTM, Strada di Pentima 4, 05100 Terni, Italy.
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Luzi
Instituto Universitario de Ingeniería de Alimentos para el Desarrollo, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain.
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Jiménez
International and Inter University Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala 686560, India.
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Gopakumar
University of Perugia, Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, UdR INSTM, Strada di Pentima 4, 05100 Terni, Italy.
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Puglia
International and Inter University Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala 686560, India.
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Thomas
University of Perugia, Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, UdR INSTM, Strada di Pentima 4, 05100 Terni, Italy.
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Kenny
Instituto Universitario de Ingeniería de Alimentos para el Desarrollo, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain.
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Chiralt
University of Perugia, Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, UdR INSTM, Strada di Pentima 4, 05100 Terni, Italy.
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Torre
D002482:Cellulose / Q000737:chemistry*; D005983:Glutens / Q000737:chemistry*; D006368:Helianthus / Q000737:chemistry*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D006868:Hydrolysis; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D013696:Temperature; D014908:Triticum / Q000737:chemistry*; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
D012997:Solvents; D014867:Water; D005983:Glutens; D002482:Cellulose
Bionanocomposites; Cellulose; Chemical pre-treatment; Hydrolysis; Steam explosion; Sunflower stalks