Tailoring Gelatin Films: Functionality, Stability, and Beyond Biodegradability

This study investigates the enhancement of biodegradable gelatin films through the incorporation of glycerol as a plasticizer, and citric acid and zinc oxide as cross-linkers. The results showed notable improvements in various properties, including solubility, swelling behavior, thickness, pH, biodegradability, and both mechanical and thermal characteristics. The films demonstrated complete water solubility and UV-visible light absorbance in the 280-480 nm range. Soil burial tests indicated gradual weight loss over 15 days, leading to complete degradation. Structural and thermal analyses via FTIR and TGA confirmed the films' integrity and stability. Additionally, the study highlighted the effectiveness of these modified films in adsorbing copper (II) ions from acidic solutions, showcasing their potential for environmental applications like heavy metal remediation. These findings emphasize the potential of tailored additive combinations to produce biodegradable films with enhanced properties and functionality.