Scientists at the Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a new material made from crab shells and tree fibers. Researchers hope that this material will replace the flexible plastic packaging used to keep food fresh as a sustainable and environmentally friendly material.
According to the United Press International, J. Carson Meredith, professor of chemistry and bimolecular engineering at Georgia Tech, said at a press conference, 'The main reference we compare is PET. Known as polyethylene terephthalate, one of the most common petroleum-based materials in transparent packaging, it can also be found in vending machines and soft drink bottles, and we have developed new materials and Compared to some forms of PET, the oxygen permeability is reduced by 67%, which means that the food can theoretically be kept for a longer period of time.
In order to create an environmentally friendly plastic packaging material, scientists have studied two of the most common natural biopolymers in nature: plant-derived cellulose and chitin found in shellfish, insects and fungi.
The researchers first invaded cellulose and chitin nanofibers in different aqueous solutions, and sprayed two substances alternately on the substrate, then dried them, and the final fiber layer formed a strong and flexible material.
Meredith pointed out that as the population continues to grow, the overall demand for food packaging is also growing, which makes renewable and compostable packaging materials a huge business opportunity. Therefore, they have been researching and developing research over the years. Cellulose nanocrystalline materials to explore a solution to improve lightweight composites and food packaging. And because chitin nanofibers are positively charged, cellulose nanocrystals are negatively charged, so the researchers realized that both Synthesis will likely become the best combination of a new composite.
He also explained that it is difficult for gas molecules to penetrate solid crystals because it must destroy the crystal structure. Therefore, the new materials are more food-preserving. The PET-like materials contain a large amount of amorphous or amorphous. Ingredients, so gas small molecules have more paths to penetrate it.
While the performance and environmental friendliness of new materials are superior to PET, researchers should explore a way to produce this material more economically before food manufacturers agree to adopt this technology.
The research results were published in the recent issue of ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering.