Influence of amino silane-modified nanocellulose on the physico-chemical and mechanical properties of alginate films

Abstract

The quest for sustainable packaging solutions has led to increased interest in biodegradable polymers. Sodium alginate, despite its biocompatibility and biodegradability, faces significant challenges in terms of mechanical strength and barrier properties. This study explores the potential of enhancing the properties of alginate films by incorporating cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) modified with 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTES), which has not been reported in the literature previously. The modification process introduces amino silane groups without altering the morphology of the nanocellulose, as evidenced by TEM. The reinforcement led to a significant increase in the tensile strength of the films from 1.27 MPa to 16.23 MPa and the surface hydrophobicity of the films from 42° to 83°. The results suggested that amino silane-modified cellulose nanofibers can be promising fillers to be incorporated into alginate polymer matrices to improve their mechanical properties and structural densification for packaging and coating applications.