ปารณัท ทองสิน. Effects of Plasticizers (Glycerol and Com oil) on Morphology, Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Electrospun Zein Film. Master's Degree(Food Engineering). King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi. KMUTT Library.. : King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, 2008.
Effects of Plasticizers (Glycerol and Com oil) on Morphology, Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Electrospun Zein Film
Abstract:
This research was conducted to improve the properties of electrospun zein film by
addition of plasticizer. Two plasticizers, glycerol and com oil, were investigated. Zein
film was electrospun from zein in aqueous ethanol. Tween? 40 and NaCl solution were
added to promote the fiber formation. The properties of the polymer solution containing
each plasticizer were then evaluated. It was found that the apparent viscosity of the
solution decreased with increasing amount of added glycerol, but with decreasing
amount of added com oil. As the amount of plasticizer, either glycerol or com oil,
increased, the electrical conductivity of the solution decreased but the surface tension
slightly increased. The morphology, as investigated by scanning electron microscopy
(SEM), revealed that zein nanofibers were ribbon-like. The fiber width was affected by
the type and amount of added plasticizer. The film samples were also prepared for
Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic experiments by drying them at 50?C
for 24 h in a vacuum oven, then equilibrated at 50?2 % RH. The IR spectra reflected
well the zein and added plasticizer. Regarding the mechanical property, it was found
that glycerol and com oil significantly affected zein film tensile strength and elongation.
Moreover, glass transition temperatures of zein films containing plasticizer, either
glycerol or com oil, were lower than the glass transition temperature of pure zein film.