Biodegradable films based on chitosan and defatted Chlorella biomass: Functional and physical characterization

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biotechnology
• Polymer Science

Background:

• Chitosan is a versatile biopolymer with potential for film applications.
• There is a growing need for sustainable and biodegradable materials.
• Algal biomass offers a renewable resource for material development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize biodegradable films using chitosan and defatted Chlorella biomass (DCB).
• To investigate the effect of varying DCB content on film properties.
• To evaluate the functional, physical, and degradation characteristics of the composite films.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of chitosan/defatted Chlorella biomass (Cs/DCB) composite films.
• Characterization of thermal stability, mechanical, water barrier, and optical properties.
• Analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy.
• Soil burial test for degradation assessment.

Main Results:

• Increasing DCB content (5-25 wt%) significantly enhanced tensile strength by 235%.
• Incorporation of DCB reduced moisture content and swelling degree.
• Water vapor permeability decreased by over 60%, and light transmission was reduced.
• SEM and FTIR confirmed uniform DCB distribution and strong hydrogen bonding.

Conclusions:

• Cs/DCB composite films exhibit improved mechanical, water barrier, and thermal properties.
• The enhanced properties are attributed to the homogeneous dispersion of DCB and hydrogen bonding.
• The films demonstrate significant biodegradability, with over 50% degradation in 60 days.