Effect of humidity and temperature conditions on the mechanical and barrier properties of nanocrystalline cellulose-reinforced bio-based films

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of nanocrystalline cellulose (NKS) incorporation on the mechanical and water vapor barrier properties of bio-based composite films under varying humidity and temperature conditions. Composite films based on whey protein concentrate (WPK) and chitosan (KS) were evaluated at different relative humidity levels (50%, 75%, 100%) and temperatures (−18°C, 4°C, 25°C), and the impact of NKS on film stability was analyzed in terms of both mechanical and barrier performance. NKS-reinforced WPK/KS/NKS films were compared with NKS-free films in terms of water vapor permeability (1.04 mm m⁻² h⁻¹ kPa⁻¹) and enhanced overall film stability. As temperature increased (from 4°C to 25°C), a reduction in elongation percentage was observed. While tensile strength decreased by up to 60% in other films under high humidity conditions (100% RH), this loss was prevented in NKS-reinforced films. NKS also contributed to limiting water vapor transmission by modifying the surface morphology of the films; however, it did not show a significant effect on antimicrobial activity. These findings indicate that NKS-reinforced biobased films can enhance water vapor barrier and mechanical properties, making them promising candidates for food packaging applications.

Keywords

• Nanocrystalline cellulose (NKS)
• Biobased composite film
• Mechanical and barrier properties
• Film stability

Nanokristal selüloz takviyeli biyobazlı filmlerde nem ve sıcaklık koşullarının mekanik ve bariyer özelliklere etkisi

Öz

Bu çalışma, nanokristal selüloz (NKS) katkılı biyobazlı kompozit filmlerin, farklı nem ve sıcaklık koşullarına bağlı, mekanik ve su buhar bariyer özelliklerindeki değişimleri incelemektedir. Peynir altı suyu protein konsantresi (WPK) ve kitosan (KS) bazlı kompozit filmler, farklı bağıl nem (%50, %75, %100) ve sıcaklık (-18°C, 4°C, 25°C) koşullarında değerlendirilmiş, NKS katkısının filmin mekanik ve bariyer stabilitesi üzerindeki etkileri analiz edilmiştir. NKS eklenmiş WPK/KS/NKS filmlerde, NKS katkısının su buhar bariyer (1,04 mm m⁻² h⁻¹ kPa⁻¹) özelliklerini iyileştirdiğini ve film stabilitesini artırdığını gösterilmiştir. Depolama sıcaklığı arttıkça (4°C → 25°C) filmlerin uzama yüzdesinin azaldığı gözlemlenmiştir. Yüksek bağıl nemde (%100 RH) çekme dayanımı diğer filmler için %60’a varan oranda azalırken, NKS katkısının bu kaybı önlediği belirlenmiştir. NKS katkısı, film yüzey morfolojisini düzenleyerek su buharı geçişini sınırlamış, ancak antimikrobiyal aktivite üzerinde belirgin bir etki göstermemiştir. NKS katkısının, biyobazlı filmlerin su buhar bariyer ve mekanik özelliklerini geliştirerek gıda ambalajlarında kullanım potansiyelini artırabileceği görülmüştür.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Nanokristal selüloz (NKS)
• Biyobazlı kompozit film
• Mekanik ve bariyer özellikler
• Film stabilitesi

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