Biodegradable Bovine Gelatin/Na + -Montmorillonite Nanocomposite Films. Structure, Barrier and Dynamic Mechanical Properties

Biodegradable films based on gelatin and Na+-Montmorillonite were prepared by mixing of gelatin solutions with ultrasonically pre-treated clay suspensions under controlled conditions. The DRX patterns and AFM images suggested that ultrasonication process resulted in homogeneously distributed layered silicates inside the matrix but not fully exfoliated. Transparency was retained, suggesting that filler is mostly distributed at the nano-scale. The results of DMA showed an improvement in storage modulus and shifts in tan d peaks toward higher temperatures. The reduction in polar groups due to hydrogen interactions between gelatin and clay particles was evidenced by the decrease in surface hydrophilicity and WVP.Fil: Martucci, Josefa Fabiana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales; ArgentinaFil: Ruseckaite, Roxana Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales; Argentin