Efect of Nanoparticles on the Mechanical Properties of Chitosan-Based Biocomposites

Biopolymers are considered to be the most promising alternatives to petroleum-based polymers, because they can greatly reduce the dependence on oil and, consequently, environmental pollution. As one of the most abundant biopolymers in nature, chitosan has unique properties, including renewablility, reproducibility, biodegradability, non-toxicity and excellent flm-forming performance. These properties have made this biopolymer usable in food coatings to extend the shelf life and use in the textile, pharmaceutical, and paper industries. These types of polysaccharide flms have had limited application due to their hydrophilic nature and poor mechanical properties. Incorporating of biopolymer-based nanomaterials, known as nanocomposite flms, is one of the effective methods to improve the mechanical properties of biopolymer flms. In this regard, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of different concentrations of nanofller on the mechanical
properties of chitosan-based flms. Nanoparticles such as graphene, carbon nanotubes, nanoclay, and nanocellulose are used as reinforcement in polymer composites. Also, the mechanical properties of chitosan based nanocomposites depend on three main factors. Also, the mechanical properties of chitosan-based nanocomposites depend on three main factors, such as the properties of polymer matrix and nano-reinforcing agent. These include the properties of the polymer matrix and the nanotechnical phase of the manufacturer, as well as interfacial interaction between fller surface and matrix polymer. In addition, for the specifc nano-reinforcement phase and polymer matrix, the properties of polymer nanocomposite are highly dependent on the dispersion and distribution of the nanoparticles at the continuous matrix phase surface.