A current article within the Journal of Polymer Science explores the event of chitosan–silanized hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) nanocomposite movies, specializing in their structural, mechanical, and barrier properties.
The analysis is motivated by the rising demand for sustainable supplies in fields resembling packaging and biomedical functions. The research demonstrates how surface-modified nanofillers can improve the efficiency of biodegradable polymer movies, serving to to beat key limitations of chitosan.
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Background
Chitosan is a biopolymer derived from chitin. It’s recognized for its biodegradability, nontoxicity, and glorious film-forming properties, which make it a beautiful materials for eco-friendly functions. Nonetheless, chitosan movies sometimes endure from weak barrier properties and restricted mechanical energy, limiting their sensible use.
To deal with these limitations, researchers have explored reinforcing chitosan with nanofillers. Amongst them, hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) is understood for its excessive thermal conductivity, chemical stability, and UV-blocking capacity. Earlier research have proven that including hBN to chitosan improves barrier efficiency and thermal stability. Nonetheless, most have used untreated hBN, which limits dispersion and interfacial bonding inside the polymer.
This research introduces a floor modification method—silanization of hBN utilizing vinyl trimethoxy silane (VTS)—to boost its compatibility with chitosan. The purpose is to enhance dispersion, strengthen hydrogen bonding, and finally increase the mechanical and barrier properties of the ensuing nanocomposite movies.
The Present Research
The researchers used an answer casting methodology to arrange the chitosan–hBN nanocomposite movies. Chitosan was extracted from shrimp shells and dissolved right into a concentrated answer. The floor of hBN was modified utilizing VTS to enhance compatibility with the polymer matrix.
The success of the silanization and the dispersion of hBN inside the chitosan matrix had been confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM photographs confirmed that the hBN was successfully included and evenly distributed all through the movies.
Mechanical testing was carried out following ISO 527-2 requirements utilizing an Instron 5944 machine to guage tensile energy. Chemical resistance was assessed by immersing movie samples in a dilute NaOH answer for ten weeks.
To judge barrier efficiency, the group measured water vapor and oxygen permeability, key indicators for potential use in packaging functions. Moreover, cytotoxicity checks had been performed utilizing L929 fibroblast cells. The movies had been incubated in cell tradition media, and cell viability was measured over time to find out biocompatibility.
Outcomes and Dialogue
The incorporation of silanized hBN led to notable enhancements in movie efficiency. The swelling ratio improved by 18.6% in comparison with pure chitosan, suggesting enhanced structural integrity and water resistance.
Barrier checks confirmed a major discount in water vapor permeability—from 2.54 × 10−10 g−1 s−1 Pa−1 for pure chitosan to 1.47 × 10−10 g−1 s−1 Pa−1 for the 0.9 % hBN composite. Oxygen permeability additionally dropped considerably, from 1350.79 cm³/m² to 542.2 cm³/m² day, confirming the fabric’s potential for moisture- and oxygen-sensitive functions.
Thermal evaluation confirmed greater degradation temperatures within the nanocomposites, indicating improved thermal stability. The pattern with 0.9 % hBN achieved the perfect mechanical outcomes, with a tensile energy of 77.9 MPa and a Younger’s modulus of 6299.86 MPa, demonstrating the reinforcing impact of hBN at comparatively low loadings.
The movies additionally supplied sturdy UV safety, with UV-A and UV-B blocking efficiencies of 98.51 % and 96.40 %, respectively.
Cytotoxicity testing confirmed the movies’ security. Cell viability remained excessive in any respect time factors and throughout all hBN concentrations, supporting their use in biomedical and food-contact functions.
Conclusion
This research efficiently demonstrates the event of chitosan–silanized hBN nanocomposite movies with enhanced mechanical energy, thermal stability, and barrier properties. The floor modification of hBN utilizing VTS proved essential for enhancing dispersion and interfacial bonding within the polymer matrix.
The ensuing supplies present sturdy potential for eco-friendly packaging, significantly in meals and biomedical functions the place barrier efficiency, biodegradability, and biocompatibility are important. The analysis highlights the worth of mixing pure polymers with surface-engineered nanofillers to fulfill trendy efficiency and sustainability requirements.
Future work may give attention to evaluating the movies beneath real-world storage situations and assessing their long-term environmental affect. The findings encourage broader exploration of silanized nanomaterials in biopolymer techniques for scalable, sustainable options.
Journal Reference
Yılmaz Z., et al. (2025). Chitosan-silanized hexagonal boron nitride nanocomposite movies and properties. Journal of Utilized Polymer Science, 0, e57128. DOI: 10.1002/app.57128 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/app.57128
