Melia Gum Films

M. G. GARCÍA; M. MASUELLI; N. A. OCHOA; J. MARCHESE

Buenos Aires

Workshop; II Workshop on Bio-degradable Polymers and Biocomposites. III Workshop BIOPURFIL, Bio-based Polyurethane Composites with Natural Fillers.; 2015

INTEMA-ITPN

The aim of this work was to prepare dense films from polysaccharides extracted from Melia azedarach to be used e.g. in agricultural industry. Crosslinking of MA films with glutaraldehyde through immersion method were performed. Structural features of films were elucidated by FTIR and XRD analysis. The influence of crosslinking in mechanical properties, water uptake and water vapor permeation was evaluated. Results showed neat Melia azedarach film presented high elongation and elastic modulus. Hydroxyl functional groups present in MA were reacted with GA to render a crosslinked matrix. It was observed through FTIR analysis that -OH band reduces intensity due to the formation of acetal linkage, as the crosslinking time increases. XRD evidenced structural changes in MA arrangement with the crosslinking time. The crosslinking during 12h and 24h rendered insoluble but less deformable films. Water uptake and water vapor permeability were reduced as the crosslinking time increased.