Enhancing the mechanical and barrier properties of chitosan/graphene oxide composite films using trisodium citrate and sodium tripolyphosphate crosslinkers

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Abstract
This study investigated the effect of ionic crosslinking on the mechanical, barrier, and optical properties of chitosan (CS) and CS/graphene oxide (CSGO) composite films using trisodium citrate (CIT) and sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) solutions of different concentrations (0.5, 1.0. 2.0, and 3.0% w/v). Successful crosslinking was confirmed by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy. The hydrophilicity and light transmittance decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with the increase in concentration of both crosslinking agents. The CS films crosslinked with 3.0% w/v TPP exhibited significant (p < 0.05) improvements in barrier properties, achieving a 51% decrease of water vapor permeability and 59% decrease in oxygen permeability, in comparison to neat CS film. In addition, TPP‐crosslinked CSGO films experienced an 82% and 42% improvement in tensile strength and elongation at break, respectively. Overall, crosslinked CS and CSGO films possess significantly improved properties and have great potential to be further studied as food packaging materials.
Funding Information
  • Universiti Putra Malaysia (GP‐IPS/2018/9643500)

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