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Purcea Lopes PM, Moldovan D, Fechete R, Mare L, Barbu-Tudoran L, Sechel N, Popescu V. Characterization of a Graphene Oxide-Reinforced Whey Hydrogel as an Eco-Friendly Absorbent for Food Packaging. Gels 2023; 9:gels9040298. [PMID: 37102911 PMCID: PMC10138084 DOI: 10.3390/gels9040298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
This study presents a structural analysis of a whey and gelatin-based hydrogel reinforced with graphene oxide (GO) by ultraviolet and visible (UV-VIS) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results revealed barrier properties in the UV range for the reference sample (containing no graphene oxide) and the samples with minimal GO content of 0.66×10−3% and 3.33×10−3%, respectively, in the UV-VIS and near-IR range; for the samples with higher GO content, this was 6.67×10−3% and 33.33×10−3% as an effect of the introduction of GO into the hydrogel composite. The changes in the position of diffraction angles 2θ from the X-ray diffraction patterns of GO-reinforced hydrogels indicated a decrease in the distances between the turns of the protein helix structure due to the GO cross-linking effect. Transmission electron spectroscopy (TEM) was used for GO, whilst scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used for the composite characterization. A novel technique for investigating the swelling rate was presented by performing electrical conductivity measurements, the results of which led to the identification of a potential hydrogel with sensor properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pompilia Mioara Purcea Lopes
- Physics and Chemistry Department, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 28 Memorandumului Str., 400114 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Dumitrita Moldovan
- Physics and Chemistry Department, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 28 Memorandumului Str., 400114 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Radu Fechete
- Physics and Chemistry Department, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 28 Memorandumului Str., 400114 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Liviu Mare
- Physics and Chemistry Department, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 28 Memorandumului Str., 400114 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Lucian Barbu-Tudoran
- Electron Microscopy Center, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babes-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca, 1 M. Kogalniceanu Street, 400347 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Niculina Sechel
- Materials Science and Engineering Department, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 103-105 Muncii Avenue, 400641 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Violeta Popescu
- Physics and Chemistry Department, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 28 Memorandumului Str., 400114 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Torrejon VM, Song J, Yu Z, Hang S. Gelatin-based cellular solids: Fabrication, structure and properties. J CELL PLAST 2022. [DOI: 10.1177/0021955x221087602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Although most cellular polymers are made from thermoplastics using different foaming technologies, gelatin and many other natural polymers can form hydrogels and convert them to cellular solids using various techniques, many of which differ from traditional plastic foaming, and so does their resulting structures. Cellular solids from natural hydrogels are porous materials that often exhibit a combination of desirable properties, including high specific surface area, biochemical activity, as well as thermal and acoustic insulation properties. Among natural hydrogels, gelatin-based porous materials are widely explored due to their availability, biocompatibility, biodegradability and relatively low cost. In addition, gelatin-based cellular solids have outstanding properties and are currently subject to increasing scientific research due to their potential in many applications, such as biocompatible cellular materials or biofoams to facilitate waste treatment. This article aims at providing a comprehensive review of gelatin cellular solids processing and their processing-properties-structure relationship. The fabrication techniques covered include aerogels production, mechanical foaming, blowing agents use, 3D printing, electrospinning and particle leaching methods. It is hoped that the assessment of their characteristics provides compiled information and guidance for selecting techniques and optimization of processing conditions to control material structure and properties to meet the needs of the finished products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Martin Torrejon
- Media and Communication School, Shenzhen Polytechnic, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Applied Chemistry, School of Science, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Materials Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jim Song
- School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhang Yu
- Faculty of Printing, Packaging Engineering and Digital Media Technology, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an, China
| | - Song Hang
- School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
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Purcea Lopes PM, Moldovan D, Moldovan M, Carpa R, Saroşi C, Păşcuţă P, Mazilu Moldovan A, Fechete R, Popescu V. New Composite Hydrogel Based on Whey and Gelatin Crosslinked with Copper Sulphate. MATERIALS 2022; 15:ma15072611. [PMID: 35407945 PMCID: PMC9000359 DOI: 10.3390/ma15072611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
By-products from the meat and dairy industries are important sources of high biological value proteins. This paper explores possibilities for improving the swelling and integrity of a cross-linked whey and gelatin hydrogel with different amounts of CuSO4 × 5H2O. Overall, swelling tests demonstrate that cross-linked samples show a better hydration capacity and stability in the hydration medium, but different copper concentrations lead to different swelling behavior. At concentrations smaller than 0.39%, the sample lasts for 75 h in a water environment before beginning to disintegrate. At a concentration of copper sulphate higher than 0.55%, the stability of the sample increased substantially. The swelling kinetics has been investigated. The diffusion constant values increased with the increase in copper concentration, but, at the highest concentration of copper (0.86%), its value has decreased. Spectroscopy analyses such as Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-VIS), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxometry analyses revealed changes in the secondary and tertiary structure of proteins as a result of the interaction of Cu2+ ions with functional groups of protein chains. In addition to its cross-linking ability, CuSO4 × 5H2O has also shown excellent antibacterial properties over common bacterial strains responsible for food spoilage. The result of this research demonstrates the potential of this hydrogel system as a unique material for food packaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pompilia Mioara Purcea Lopes
- Physics and Chemistry Department, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 28 Memorandumului Str., 400114 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (P.M.P.L.); (D.M.); (P.P.); (A.M.M.); (R.F.)
| | - Dumitriţa Moldovan
- Physics and Chemistry Department, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 28 Memorandumului Str., 400114 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (P.M.P.L.); (D.M.); (P.P.); (A.M.M.); (R.F.)
| | - Marioara Moldovan
- Polymeric Composite Laboratory, Institute of Chemistry Raluca Ripan, Babeş-Bolyai University, 30 Fȃntȃnele Str., 400294 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (M.M.); (C.S.)
| | - Rahela Carpa
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeș Bolyai University, M. Kogălniceanu Street, 400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Codruţa Saroşi
- Polymeric Composite Laboratory, Institute of Chemistry Raluca Ripan, Babeş-Bolyai University, 30 Fȃntȃnele Str., 400294 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (M.M.); (C.S.)
| | - Petru Păşcuţă
- Physics and Chemistry Department, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 28 Memorandumului Str., 400114 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (P.M.P.L.); (D.M.); (P.P.); (A.M.M.); (R.F.)
| | - Amalia Mazilu Moldovan
- Physics and Chemistry Department, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 28 Memorandumului Str., 400114 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (P.M.P.L.); (D.M.); (P.P.); (A.M.M.); (R.F.)
| | - Radu Fechete
- Physics and Chemistry Department, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 28 Memorandumului Str., 400114 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (P.M.P.L.); (D.M.); (P.P.); (A.M.M.); (R.F.)
| | - Violeta Popescu
- Physics and Chemistry Department, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 28 Memorandumului Str., 400114 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (P.M.P.L.); (D.M.); (P.P.); (A.M.M.); (R.F.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +40-74-317-41-95
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