Work

Facile preparation of solid gelatin foams by a water-lean batch foaming process

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Existing polystyrenic and polyolefinic packaging foams are non-biodegradable, and persist in the environment for hundreds of years. Gelatin foams are an interesting alternative, given their biodegradability , biocompatibility, solution-based processability, low cost, and non-toxicity. However, current methods for preparing gelatin foams, such as freeze-drying, microfluidic foaming, and batch foaming, are not suitable for high-volume production. In this context, we report the preparation of solid gelatin foams by a water-lean batch foaming process that involves simply mixing bloomed gelatin with a blowing agent, selected from inorganic bicarbonates and cyclic organic carbonates, and heating the resulting mixture in an open mold. The foaming was primarily attributed to CO 2 produced by blowing agents, while the transformation from discrete gelatin granules to a continuous foam was facilitated by the melting, flowing, and fusion of the bloomed gelatin granules into a homogeneous mass upon heating. This process is simple, inexpensive, sustainable, and versatile, making it highly suitable for high-volume production of biodegradable foams, particularly for use in loose-fill packaging applications.

Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.138360

Authors: Ravishankar Kartik, Km Shelly, Nitin Prakash Lobo

Institutions: Central Leather Research Institute, Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research

Language: English

Topic: Polymer Foaming and Composites

Subfield: Polymers and Plastics

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,260