pps proceeding - Abstract Preview
pps proceeding
Symposium: S13 - Fibers and Textiles
Oral Presentation
 
 

Development of oxygen scavenging films and fibrous mats for food packaging applications

Kordjazi Zahra (1)*, Ajji Abdellah (1)

(1) Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal - Quebec - Canada

In this work oxygen absorption properties of Ethylcellulose (EC) and Hydroxyl Terminated Poly Butadiene (HTPB) blends has been studied. Blends were catalyzed with TiO2 and oxygen scavenging samples were prepared using cast film and electrospinning methods from two different binary solvents; toluene/ethanol and ethanol/water, respectively. The structure of the electrospun samples prepared in ethanol/water solution was investigated using SEM. Morphological observations confirmed that adding HTPB to EC matrix has increased the tendency of solutions to obtain smooth fibrous structure in comparison to pure EC solution. To study the stability and homogeneity of ethanol/water solutions utilized for electrospinning process, viscosity and FTIR measurements were carried out. Applicability of Cox-Merz empirical rule between the steady state shear viscosity and the magnitude of complex viscosity as a function of shear rate and angular frequency lead us to believe that electrospinning solution prepared in ethanol/water was homogenous even in the presence of HTPB. FTIR spectra showed the similar ratio of EC to HTPB in electrospun mat compared to cast film which reveals the stability of the solution in the syringe during the electrospinning process. Oxygen absorption measurements were carried out on cast films and electrospun fibers for pure EC and blends containing HTPB with and without TiO2. The oxygen absorption results showed that adding HTPB as an unsaturated resin has increased scavenging properties of EC as a polymeric matrix. In addition, oxidation of HTPB was accelerated in presence of TiO2 photocatalyst. Moreover, oxygen absorption efficiency of fibrous structure was somehow higher than for cast film as a result of the higher surface area in direct contact with available oxygen in closed container.