Barrier biopaper multilayers obtained by impregnation of electrospun poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) with protein and polysaccharide hydrocolloids

Multilayer biopapers composed of two electrospun layers poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) were impregnated, at the inner side one layers, with cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and their composites hydrocolloids, to develop high-barrier fully biobased structures. The study aimed for first time comparing impregnation fibers several biopolymer solutions. Thus, neat CNCs, CNCs mixed as a minor fraction, that is, 2 wt%, gelatin (GE), agar (AG), xanthan gum (XG), arabic (GA) assessed in potential improve barrier properties PHBV. Glycerol plasticizer was added composite formulations. impregnated multilayer mats subsequently annealed, below PHBV melting point, yield continuous films by an interfiber coalescence process, so-called biopapers, thereafter characterized evaluate high food packaging applications. morphological characterization revealed good interlayer adhesion, more noticeably those containing nanocomposites AG XG. From mechanical response, it inferred material behavior governed mainly rigidity substrates, this could not be significantly improved any various hydrocolloids. Whereas water vapor seen samples, organic limonene, used standard aroma barrier, however samples XG composites. Interestingly, oxygen but only pure CNCs. This reports scalable technology approach produce multilayers.