Preparation and characterization of bionanocomposite films based on wheat starch and reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals

Abstract In recent times, the attention of scientific community has been focusing on replacement petroleum-based polymers by others more environmentally friendly. this sense, bionanocomposites based glycerol-plasticized wheat starch and reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were prepared a solvent-casting process to obtain friendly films. The plasticization was proven be complete in conditions used no residual crystallinity observed any case. incorporation CNCs leads materials increased rigidity (about 1000% increment modulus) which is related good filler-matrix interaction formation rigid crystalline network cellulose. This fact allowed also improve moisture resistance barrier properties (in both, oxygen water vapor as permeant) bionanocomposite films due tortuous path, prevent gas diffusion. Moreover, thermal stability not affected filler incorporation. These improvements make these susceptible short-time applications food packaging industry.