Thermomechanical and acidic treatments to improve plasticization and properties of chitosan films: A comparative study of acid types and glycerol effects

Abdenour Chenni; Hocine Djidjelli; Amar Boukerrou; Yves Grohens; Benjamin Saulnier

doi:10.3139/120.111122

Article

Thermomechanical and acidic treatments to improve plasticization and properties of chitosan films: A comparative study of acid types and glycerol effects

Abdenour Chenni , Hocine Djidjelli , Amar Boukerrou , Yves Grohens and Benjamin Saulnier

Published/Copyright: December 28, 2017

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From the journal Materials Testing Volume 60 Issue 1

Abstract

Plasticized and unplasticized chitosan films were successfully prepared by thermomechanical treatment, as a possible alternative route to solvent casting method. Acetic acid and lactic acid were used as solvents and glycerol was used as plasticizer with a fixed concentration of 25 wt.-%. The properties of the prepared samples were investigated demonstrating the effects of acid type and the addition of glycerol. Microstructure analysis results revealed a homogeneous and cohesive matrix, indicating a smooth surface without pores, cracks and irregularities. Unplasticized samples with lactic acid showed lower stiffness, higher elongation at break, more thermal stability, higher water uptake and water vapor permeability compared to the samples prepared with acetic acid. The introduction of glycerol affected all properties of the samples, but the samples prepared with lactic acid were more influenced. The rheological and mechanical properties (tensile strength and elongation at break) were improved when glycerol was added, resulting in a ductile behavior with a small plastic deformation and higher elongation at break compared to unplasticized films. On the other side, thermal properties were negatively affected by a decrease in the thermal stability. The water uptake and WVP measurements verified that the hydrophilic character of the material was enhanced by the addition of glycerol.

Kurzfassung

Weichgemachte und weichmacherfreie Chitosanfilme wurden mittels thermomechanischer Behandlung erfolgreich hergestellt, und zwar als alternatives Verfahren zu Gießen mittels Lösungsmitteln. Essigsäure sowie Milchsäure wurden als Lösungsmittel verwendet und Glycerin wurde als Weichmacher mit einer festen Konzentration von 25 wt.-% eingesetzt. Die Eigenschaften der so vorbereiteten Proben wurden unter Berücksichtigung des Säuretyps und der Zugabe von Glycerin ermittelt. Die mikrostrukturellen Analysen ergaben eine homogene und kohäsive Matrix, die eine glatte Oberfläche ohne Poren, Risse oder Unregelmäßigkeiten aufwies. Weichmacherfreie Proben mit Milchsäure zeigten eine geringere Steifigkeit, eine höhere Verlängerung bei Bruch (Bruchdehnung) und eine größere thermische Stabilität sowie eine höhere Wasseraufnahme und eine größere Wasserdampfpermeabilität im Vergleich zu den Proben, die mittels Essigsäure hergestellt wurden. Die Zugabe von Glycerin beeinflusste alle Eigenschaften, was stärker in den Proben beobachtet wurde, die mittels Milchsäure hergestellt wurden. Die rheologischen und mechanischen Eigenschaften (Zugfestigkeit und Bruchdehnung) verbesserten sich infolge der Zugabe von Glycerin, was in einem duktilen Verhalten mit geringer plastischer Verformung und einer höheren Bruchdehnung im Vergleich zu den Filmen ohne Weichmacher resultierte. Auf der anderen Seite wurden die thermischen Eigenschaften in Form einer Abnahme der thermischen Stabilität negativ beeinflusst. Die Wasseraufnahme und die WVP-Messungen bewiesen, dass der hydrophile Charakter des Materials mit der Zugabe von Glycerin verstärkt wurde.

*Correspondence Address, Dr. Abdenour Chenni, Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials (LMPA), Faculty of Technology, University Abderrahmane Mira, Rue targa Ouzemour, Bejaia 06000, Algéria, E-mail: chenni_abdenour@yahoo.com

Abdenour Chenni, born in 1989, holds a Master degree in Polymer Engineering Materials. Since December 2013, he is a doctoral student in the field of polymer and composite materials at the Laboratory of Advanced Polymer Materials (LMPA) of University of Bejaia, Algeria.

Prof. Dr. Hocine Djidjelli is currently Professor at the University of Bejaia, Algeria. He was a project manager in several research projects for the Laboratory of Organic Materials (LMO) and Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials (LMPA) at the University of Bejaia. He was Head of the Chemical Engineering Department and Vice-Rector responsible for external relations in the University of Bejaia.

Prof. Dr. Amar Boukerrou, born in 1958, is Professor and project manager in several research projects. He was Vice-Dean of Studies and Student Matters at the Faculty of Technology of the University of Bejaia, Algeria. Currently, he is Dean of the Faculty of Technology at the University of Bejaia.

Prof. Dr. Yves Grohens, born in 1965, is Professor at the University of Bretagne-Sud in France. He was Director of the Polymer Laboratory, Interface and Composite properties (L2PIC), Lorient, France, Director of the Engineering Laboratory of Bretagne (LIMATB), France. Currently, he is Assistant Director of the Institute of Research Dupuy de Lôme (IRDL), University of Bretagne-Sud, Lorient, France.

Dr. Benjamin Saulnier holds a doctoral degree from the University of Bretagne-Sud, Lorient, France. He was a researcher at the University of Montpellier, France, at CNRS and at Olmix, INRA, France, and worked in technology transfer for companies and drafting of several technological innovation projects including biopolymers for different organizations in France. Currently, he is a researcher at the Institute of Research Dupuy de Lôme (IRDL), University of Bretagne-Sud, Lorient, France.

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Published Online: 2017-12-28

Published in Print: 2018-01-04

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https://doi.org/10.3139/120.111122