dc.contributor
Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. Departament d’Enginyeria Gràfica i de Disseny
dc.contributor
Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. CELBIOTECH - Enginyeria Paperera
dc.contributor.author
Valls Vidal, Cristina
dc.contributor.author
Cusola Aumedes, Oriol
dc.contributor.author
Roncero Vivero, María Blanca
dc.date.accessioned
2026-03-03T01:11:28Z
dc.date.available
2026-03-03T01:11:28Z
dc.identifier
Valls, C.; Cusola, O.; Roncero, M.B. Bionanocomposite films of nanocellulose with chitosan or alginate: Enhanced barrier properties and active packaging potential. «Materials today chemistry», Març 2026, vol. 52, núm. article 103415.
dc.identifier
https://hdl.handle.net/2117/456036
dc.identifier
10.1016/j.mtchem.2026.103415
dc.identifier.uri
https://hdl.handle.net/2117/456036
dc.description.abstract
In this study, two biopolymers—alginate and chitosan—were combined with nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) at varying concentrations (5–80%) to produce alginate-NFC and chitosan-NFC bionanocomposites. FTIR confirmed the good compatibility between NFC and the biopolymers. Subsequently, the optical, physical, and barrier properties relevant to packaging applications were evaluated. The incorporation of both biomacromolecules resulted in smoother and more transparent bionanocomposites. While a low concentration of alginate (5%) reduced both tensile strength and elongation at break, significant negative effects on these mechanical properties were only observed at higher chitosan loadings (50–80%). Surface hydrophobicity, evaluated by water drop test (WDT) and water contact angle (WCA), was also enhanced, reaching WCA values of 104° and 82° with 70% chitosan and alginate, respectively. Water vapor barrier performance (50% and 90% RH) improved only with chitosan addition, whereas grease barrier properties were enhanced exclusively by alginate. These contrasting effects are attributed to differences in surface free energy: chitosan increased the dispersive component of the bionanocomposites (up to 95%), while alginate introduced a strong polar character (65–82%). The results enabled insight into the interfacial interaction mechanisms among biopolymers in bionanocomposite matrices. Finally, both biopolymers provided oxygen scavenging capacity to bionanocomposites, making them promising candidates for active packaging applications—chitosan by increasing antioxidant activity, and alginate by facilitating the immobilization of an oxidoreductase-type enzyme
dc.description.abstract
The authors would like to thank the consolidated research group AGAUR 2021 SGR 00852. Oriol Cusola and Cristina Valls are Serra Húnter Fellows
dc.description.abstract
9 - Indústria, Innovació i Infraestructura
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11 - Ciutats i Comunitats Sostenibles
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12 - Producció i Consum Responsables
dc.description.abstract
13 - Acció per al Clima
dc.description.abstract
Postprint (published version)
dc.format
application/pdf
dc.relation
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468519426000728
dc.relation
info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/AEI/Plan Estatal de Investigación Científica y Técnica y de Innovación 2017-2020/PID2020-114070RB-I00/ES/TRANSFORMACION DE MATERIALES CELULOSICOS EN BIOPRODUCTOS AVANZADOS Y ECOLOGICOS/
dc.rights
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.rights
Attribution 4.0 International
dc.subject
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Enginyeria dels materials
dc.subject
Active packaging
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Barrier properties
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Nanocomposites
dc.title
Bionanocomposite films of nanocellulose with chitosan or alginate: Enhanced barrier properties and active packaging potential
