U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 close



Research
                Research Home
                            National Programs
                            Research Projects
                            Scientific Manuscripts
                            International Engagement
                            Scientific Software/Models
                            Databases and Datasets
                            Office of Scientific Quality Review
            Media
                News & Features
                            Multimedia
                            Briefing Room
                            Down on the Farm
                            Press Room
                            Science in Your Shopping Cart
                            Scientific Discoveries
                            Tellus
                            Under the Microscope
            About ARS
                About ARS Home
                            Staff Directory
                            Labs and Research Centers (Map)
                            Headquarter Offices
                            Organizational Chart
                            Employee Services (REE Employees Only)
                            Office of Outreach, Diversity, and Equal Opportunity
            Work With Us
                Work With Us Home
                            ARS Vacancies at USAJOBS
                            Careers at ARS Information
                            Scientific Collaborations
                            Extramural Agreements
                            1890 Faculty Research Sabbatical ProgramSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Research Publications at this Location





- ARS National Programs
- Search for a scientific manuscript
- Search for a research project
- ARS Software
- Programs and Projects
- Collaborations
- Subjects of Investigation
- Publications

Title:   Author  item
                                            LIANG, SONGMIAO - RUTGERS UNIVERSITY,NJitem
                                            Liu, Linshuitem
                                            HUANG, QINGRONG - RUTGERS UNIVERSITY,NJitem
                                            YAM, KIT - RUTGERS UNIVERSITY,NJ
  Submitted to: Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics
                                    Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 2/10/2009
                                    Publication  Date: 5/22/2009
                                    Citation: Liang, S., Liu, L.S., Huang, Q., Yam, K.L. 2009. Microstructure and molecular interaction in glycerol plasticized chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) blending films. Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics. 210:(10):832-839.Interpretive Summary: The packaging material and technology market is several hundred billion dollars and growing at an annual rate of 4%. Various pectin based membranes and films have been developed in our laboratory for food packaging and wrapping. Multilayered membranes from pectin and other polymeric materials are under intensive study, because such membranes can play multiple functions simultaneously; therefore, can better protect foods from environmental factors, and thus prolong the shelf life, retain quality, and enhance the value of foods. Chitosan nanostructures are considered an ideal counter part to form multi-layered membranes with pectin via electrostatic interactions. However, little knowledge on the structure-function relationship of chitosan composites has been obtained. The present study filled this gap by altering the characteristics of chitosan, and then, investigating the resultant composites, laminated on a pectin matrix. A clear view of the nanostructure of chitosan composites and know how to make them provides materials for various applications of pectin/chitosan multilayered membranes. Eventually, it will expand the utility of pectin and benefit U.S. agribusiness.
                                Technical Abstract: Poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/chitosan (CS) blended films plasticized by glycerol were investigated using mechanical testing, atomic force microscopy (AFM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and FTIR spectroscopy, with primary emphasis on the effects of the glycerol content and the molecular weight of chitosan on the film structure and properties. Our results showed that both glycerol content and chitosan molecular weight can effectively change the film appearance, mechanical strength and water vapor permeation. All of the films containing glycerol exhibited a largely improved mechanical toughness compared to that without glycerol. The optimum glycerol content for the highest elastic modulus and the largest elongation at break of the films were obtained. AFM results indicated that these films were basically composed of spherical nanoparticles, which exhibited a different aggregation behavior closely related to the glycerol content and chitosan molecular weight. The strong hydrogen bonding interaction between glycerol molecules and the polymer matrix detected by FTIR analysis was considered as the main driving force that determines the film structure, thereby affecting the mechanical, water permeation and optical transparent properties of the films. Furthermore, DSC results showed the addition of glycerol could result in a continuous shift and change in the Tg and Tm of the PVA and chitosan components, suggesting that glycerol can effectively improve the miscibility of the films through this hydrogen bonding interaction. Therefore, the formation of a new hydrogen bonding network (cluster) by introducing glycerol is of great importance in controlling the structure and improving the performance of these blended films.


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov