Properties and bioapplications of blended cellulose and corn protein films

A series of blend films have been prepared from cellulose and corn protein in a NaOH/urea solution by a simple, low cost, and 'green' pathway. Their structure and properties are characterized by amino acid analysis, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetry, and tensile testing. The results reveal that a certain miscibility exists between cellulose and corn protein and their thermal stability and mechanical properties are improved significantly, compared with the protein materials, when the protein content is less than 18 wt.-%. The protein, which contains tyrosine and histidine, could remain in the blend films after being washed for ten days, which indicates the strong hydrogen bonding between the hydroxy groups of cellulose and the hydroxyphenyl of tyrosine and imidazolyl of histidine in the protein. Furthermore, they exhibit good biocompatibility capable of supporting cell adhesion and proliferation.