Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: The environmental impact of conventional polymers has driven the search for sustainable food packaging alternatives. Clay incorporation into polymers matrices has shown to enhance optical, mechanical, and barrier properties. This study evaluates Cuban natural bentonite as a reinforcing phase in hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), plus their mixtures (PVA/PVP and PVA/CMC). Films were cast and characterized by XRD, ATR-FTIR, SEM, and water resistance tests; opacity was measured by UV-Vis spectroscopy accounting for thickness. Results indicate that polymer dispersion depends on temperature (CMC fastest). Bent/HPMC films stood out for their superior opacity and water resistance, while Bent/PVA/PVP and Bent/PVA/CMC showed predominantly exfoliated structures, favorable for food packaging applications.
Source: ChemRxiv
Institution: University of Havana
Language: English
Subfield: Biomaterials
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: Division of Chemistry
OpenAlex ID: W7213898162