Effects of nanoparticle-enhanced phase change material (NPCM) on solar still productivity

Waste from non-degradable plastics is becoming an increasingly serious problem. Therefore, more and more research focuses on the development of materials with biodegradable properties. Bio-polymers are excellent raw materials for the production of such materials. Bio-based biopolymer films reinforced with nanostructures have become an interesting area of research. Nanocomposite films are a group of materials that mainly consist of bio-based natural (e.g., chitosan, starch) and synthetic (e.g., poly(lactic acid)) polymers and nanofillers (clay, organic, inorganic, or carbon nanostructures), with different properties. The interaction between environmentally friendly biopolymers and nanofillers leads to the improved functionality of nanocomposite materials. Depending on the properties of nanofillers, new or improved properties of nanocomposites can be obtained such as: barrier properties, improved mechanical strength, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties or thermal stability. This review compiles information about biopolymers used as the matrix for the films with nanofillers as the active agents. Particular emphasis has been placed on the influence of nanofillers on functional properties of biopolymer films and their possible use within the food industry and food packaging systems. The possible applications of those nanocomposite films within other industries (medicine, drug and chemical industry, tissue engineering) is also briefly summarized.

The Effect of Nanofillers on the Functional Properties of Biopolymer-based Films: A Review.

Preparation and characterization of gelatin-based nanocomposite containing chitosan nanofiber and ZnO nanoparticles.

Different levels of beeswax (B) or carnauba wax (C) were added into gelatin (G) at 5%, 10%, and 15% (w/w) to prepare films containing glycerol as a plasticizer. Although the wax addition increased the opacity and yellowness of gelatin films, both the UV/visible light and water vapor barriers were successfully improved gradually with increasing wax levels, and B was more effective than C. Addition of 10% and 15% wax significantly reduced the water solubility and WVP (P ≤ 0.05). However, the mechanical properties of gelatin-wax films were not strengthened compared with control. As wax levels increased, the resulting films became more brittle, harder, and less stretchable. SEM showed GB films have more uniform surfaces and compact cross-sections compared with GC films. All films showed antioxidant activity against DPPH and hydroxyl radicals, and iron reducing; however, the effects obtained with the gelatin-wax films were not significantly different from the G films (P > 0.05). Based on FTIR analysis, all films showed amide absorption regions, but GB films showed higher intensity of absorption peaks for lipid functional groups than GC films. Wax addition improved thermal stability of films suggesting an interaction between wax and gelatin. The improved barrier properties and thermal stability of the gelatin-wax films suggest that they can be used to protect foods from deterioration, and B was found to be better than C when added in gelatin films.

Effect of beeswax and carnauba wax addition on properties of gelatin films: A comparative study

Flexible and stable quasi-solid-state zinc ion battery with conductive guar gum electrolyte

Semi-interpenetrating hydrogels from carboxymethyl guar gum and gelatin for ciprofloxacin sustained release.

Guar gum benzoate nanoparticle reinforced gelatin films for enhanced thermal insulation, mechanical and antimicrobial properties

Herein, we report the synthesis of a guar gum propionate ester and the self-assembly formation of nanoparticles following a facile solvent shifting technique. Hofmeister-ion-guided homogeneous phase reactions were applied in guar galactomannan chemistry. A high degree of substitution (DS) was achieved due to an enhanced access to surface hydroxyl groups in the presence of chaotropic Hofmeister ions. The resulting biopolymer was fully characterized using FT-IR, 13C NMR, XRD, and thermal analysis. SEM and TEM studies confirmed the formation of quasi-spherical self-assembly nanoparticles in water. The nanoparticles expressed widespread antifungal activities due to the particles' dynamics and the presence of surface propionate moieties. The minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) in Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida albicans were recorded at 500 μg mL−1. The development of guar gum propionate self-assembly nanoparticles has great potential in biomedical device applications.

Md. Farooque Abdullah

Papers

Semi-interpenetrating hydrogels from carboxymethyl guar gum and gelatin for ciprofloxacin sustained release.

Guar gum benzoate nanoparticle reinforced gelatin films for enhanced thermal insulation, mechanical and antimicrobial properties

Antifungal ouzo nanoparticles from guar gum propionate