Properties of hydroxypropyl guar/TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibrils composite films

Flexible hydroxypropyl guar/TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibrils (HPG/TOCNs) composite films were prepared using a conventional solvent-casting technique. Their properties were investigated with a variety of techniques including tensile test, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, oxygen permeability test, water vapor permeability test, thermogravimetric analysis and water contact angle measurement. The results indicate that HPG and TOCNs have an excellent miscibility and their blending mass ratio can significantly affect the physical, thermal, oxygen barrier and water vapor barrier properties of the composite films. Compared with pure HPG film, the composite films exhibit higher tensile strength and oxygen barrier properties. The water vapor resistance and thermal stability of the composite films are slightly lower than those of HPG film. However, the excellent flexibility, transparency and gas-barrier properties of the environmentally friendly HPG/TOCNs composite film make it a promising packaging material for food and pharmaceutical industries.