In a recent scientific development, a new biodegradable polymer has been created using Guar Gum and Chitosan. This significant breakthrough is expected to have a profound impact on the packaging material industry. The composite film, a cross-linked polysaccharide, overcomes numerous challenges associated with traditional polysaccharides and exhibits favourable properties for use in packaging.
About the New Biodegradable Polymer
The invention in focus is a guar gum-chitosan composite film which came about through the technique known as solution casting, a simple yet effective method used for creating polymer films. This composite possesses promising potential for use in synthesis of packaging materials, all thanks to its high resistance and durability characteristics.
Polysaccharides, biopolymers that exhibit promising potential for use in synthesis of packaging material, have some drawbacks. These include low mechanical properties, high water-solubility, and low barrier properties, among others which make them a less preferred choice for manufacturers. However, the new composite film uses Guar Gum and Chitosan, both polysaccharides extracted from natural sources like guar beans, crab shells, and shrimps, to overcome these challenges.
Properties of the Guar Gum-Chitosan Composite Film
This new film exhibits several notable properties making it an outstanding material for packaging. Among these are its high water stability, superior mechanical strength, incredible resistance towards harsh environmental conditions, and its insusceptibility to dissolving in water. Scientists note that the material didn’t dissolve even after being submerged in water for 240 hours, evidencing its amazing water resistance features.
Another impressive property of this film is its ability to repel water or its hydrophobic nature which is estimated to be around a high contact angle of 92.8º. Additionally, compared to films made solely from chitosan, this film possesses lower water vapor permeability which is indicative of a material’s ability to allow a vapor, such as water vapor or gas, to move through it.
Significance of the New Biodegradable Polymer
This biodegradable composite film could play a key role in tackling the growing problem of non-biodegradable packaging materials that continue to pile up in our surroundings, including items like water and soda bottles. Polymers, despite their wide industrial and commercial usage, are not biodegradable and thus pose a significant challenge to the environment and the ecosystem of our planet. With the development of this new polymer, we could see a substantial reduction in the environmental hazards caused by non-biodegradable polymers.
Overall, the creation of the Guar Gum-Chitosan composite film presents an interesting and eco-friendly shift in the world of packaging materials. As our scientific community continues its endeavor to create sustainable and environmentally-conscious materials, developments like these grant us hope for a greener future.