Physical properties of fish gelatin-based bio-nanocomposite films incorporated with ZnO nanorods

• Published in: Nanoscale Research Letters
• Main Author: Rouhi J.; Mahmud S.; Naderi N.; Raymond Ooi C.H.; Mahmood M.R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Springer New York LLC 2013
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84887274941&doi=10.1186%2f1556-276X-8-364&partnerID=40&md5=cd750a8e754ab4cbb80aa329a3d6e2be

Well-dispersed fish gelatin-based nanocomposites were prepared by adding ZnO nanorods (NRs) as fillers to aqueous gelatin. The effects of ZnO NR fillers on the mechanical, optical, and electrical properties of fish gelatin bio-nanocomposite films were investigated. Results showed an increase in Young's modulus and tensile strength of 42% and 25% for nanocomposites incorporated with 5% ZnO NRs, respectively, compared with unfilled gelatinbased films. UV transmission decreased to zero with the addition of a small amount of ZnO NRs in the biopolymer matrix. X-ray diffraction showed an increase in the intensity of the crystal facets of (10ī1) and (0002) with the addition of ZnO NRs in the biocomposite matrix. The surface topography of the fish gelatin films indicated an increase in surface roughness with increasing ZnO NR concentrations. The conductivity of the films also significantly increased with the addition of ZnO NRs. These results indicated that bio-nanocomposites based on ZnO NRs had great potentials for applications in packaging technology, food preservation, and UV-shielding systems. © 2013 Rouhi et al.; licensee Springer.