Chitin- and cellulose-based sustainable barrier materials: a review
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REVIEW
Chitin- and cellulose-based sustainable barrier materials: a review Zeyang Yu 1 & Yue Ji 1 & Violette Bourg 2 & Mustafa Bilgen 3 & J. Carson Meredith 1,4 Received: 13 September 2020 / Accepted: 23 November 2020 # The Author(s) 2020
Abstract The accumulation of synthetic plastics used in packaging applications in landfills and the environment is a serious problem. This challenge is driving research efforts to develop biodegradable, compostable, or recyclable barrier materials derived from renewable sources. Cellulose, chitin/chitosan, and their combinations are versatile biobased packaging materials because of their diverse biological properties (biocompatibility, biodegradability, antimicrobial properties, antioxidant activity, non-toxicity, and less immunogenic compared to protein), superior physical properties (high surface area, good barrier properties, and mechanical properties), and they can be assembled into different forms and shapes (powders, fibers, films, beads, sponges, gels, and solutions). They can be either assembled into packaging films or used as fillers to improve the properties of other biobased polymers. Methods such as preparation of composites, multilayer coating, and alignment control are used to further improve their barrier, mechanical properties, and ameliorate their moisture sensitivity. With the growing application of cellulose and chitin-based packaging materials, their biodegradability and recyclability are also discussed in this review paper. The future trends of these biobased materials in packaging applications and the possibility of gradually replacing petroleum-based plastics are analyzed in the “Conclusions” section. Keywords Chitin . Cellulose . Biobased packaging materials . Gas barrier properties
1 Introduction One of the greatest challenges in keeping plastics out of landfills and the environment is flexible and rigid gas barrier materials used in food, medical, and pharmaceutical packaging. Formed from petroleum-derived polymer multilayers, sometimes layered with aluminum, and often contaminated with food, these materials are unrecyclable by current means. As a result, they contribute approximately 750 million pieces of packaging plastic, 22 million tons, to landfills or environmental leakage annually [1, 2]. Opportunity exists to reduce endof-life plastics and create packaging that fulfills tenets of circular products through the utilization of biomass-derived * J. Carson Meredith [email protected] 1
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 311 Ferst Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
2
Nestlé Research Science, Route du Jorat, 57, 1000 Lausanne, Switzerland
3
Department of Innovation, Technology & Commercialization, Winpak, 100 Wihuri Parkway, Senoia, GA 30276, USA
4
The Renewable Bioproducts Institute, Georgia Institute of Technology, 500 10th St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
materials, because these materials are often renewably sourced and degradable via naturally existing pathways. Currently, there exi
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