Eco-Friendly Film: Nano-Enhanced Strength & Flexibility

Introduction

Today’s consumers and businesses alike are demanding more sustainable solutions. In industries like food, healthcare, and retail, there’s a growing need for packaging that combines durability with biodegradability. This patent introduces a game-changing packaging material: a crystalline nano-cellulose reinforced chitosan film. Not only does this film provide enhanced strength and flexibility, but it’s also fully biodegradable, making it an ideal solution for businesses aiming to reduce their environmental impact without sacrificing product quality.

What Makes It Special

This eco-friendly film leverages a unique blend of chitosan and crystalline nano-cellulose to create packaging that’s as resilient as it is biodegradable. Chitosan, derived from natural resources, is known for its antimicrobial properties, adding an additional layer of protection. The crystalline nano-cellulose fibers further enhance the film’s durability, making it tear-resistant and suitable for various applications, from food packaging to medical supplies. This technology combines the best of both worlds—eco-friendliness and strength—positioning your company as a leader in sustainable packaging.

Core Advantages

Superior Durability: With nano-cellulose reinforcement, this film withstands the rigors of transportation and handling, reducing damage rates and waste.
Biodegradability at Its Best: Unlike traditional plastics, this chitosan-based film is biodegradable, supporting environmentally conscious practices that resonate with today’s consumers.
Antimicrobial Properties: The chitosan component naturally inhibits microbial growth, preserving product freshness and integrity, especially valuable for food and healthcare applications.
Adaptable Across Industries: From food packaging to biodegradable medical applications, the film’s versatility makes it suitable for a wide range of industries looking for eco-friendly solutions.

The Opportunity

By licensing this patent, your company can lead the charge in sustainable packaging, offering a unique, resilient, and biodegradable product that aligns with global environmental goals. With consumers increasingly favoring brands committed to sustainability, introducing this eco-friendly film can set your products apart in a competitive market. Additionally, with this technology, your brand can contribute to reducing plastic waste, aligning with environmental standards and enhancing your brand’s reputation as an eco-conscious industry leader.

Please see terms and conditions

Abstract
Claims

A biopolymer film is provided that comprises a combination of: crystalline nano cellulose (CNC)/esterified crystalline nano cellulose (ECNC) reinforced with chitosan. The two polymer components can be present in any ratio but an approximate CNC to ECNC 70:30 ratio is preferred. The chitosan component is derived from exoskeletons of crustaceans. Also provided are methods of preparing biopolymer film and preparing food packaging components from said biopolymer film. The CNC/ECNC mixture is dissolved in an ethanol solution and the chitin is dissolved in acetic acid and mixed together to form a polymer blend.

The invention claimed is:

1. A biodegradable film comprising:

crystalline nano cellulose (CNC);

esterified crystalline nano cellulose (ECNC); and

chitosan;

wherein CNC and ECNC is any ratio with an approximate weight between 40 to 50% of the film; and

wherein the combination of CNC, ECNC and chitosan provide for tensile properties, water vapor barrier properties, antimicrobial properties, thermal properties, barrier and structural properties, non-toxicity properties, edibility properties, compostable properties and biodegradable properties for the biodegradable film.

2. The biopolymer film of claim 1, wherein CNC and ECNC are present in approximately a 70:30 ratio.

3. The biopolymer film of claim 1, wherein the chitosan is derived from crustacean exoskeletons.

4. The biopolymer film of claim 1, wherein the CNC and ECNC are derived from renewable agricultural sources.

5. The biopolymer film of claim 1, wherein the biopolymer film comprises an additive.

6. The biopolymer film of claim 1, further comprising at least one additives selected from a group consisting of: vanillin, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and stearic acid.

7. The biopolymer film of claim 6, wherein at least one additive is EDTA and the range of EDTA is between 40 to 50% wt. of the film.

8. The biopolymer film of claim 7, wherein the EDTA is EDTA dianhydride (EDTAD).

9. The biopolymer film of claim 6, wherein at least one additive is vanillin and the range of vanillin is between 40 to 50% wt. of the film.

10. The biopolymer film of claim 6, wherein at least one additive is stearic acid and the range of stearic acid is between 40 to 50% wt. of the film.

11. The biopolymer film of claim 6, wherein at least one additive is stearic acid and the range of stearic acid is between 0.8 to 1.0% wt. of the film.

12. The biopolymer film of claim 1, further comprising at least two additives selected from a group consisting of: vanillin, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and stearic acid.

13. The biopolymer film of claim 12, wherein the at least two additives are vanillin and stearic acid.

14. The biopolymer film of claim 1, wherein the chitosan is approximately 60% wt. of the film.

15. The biopolymer film of claim 1, wherein the CNC, ECNC, and chitosan are present in approximately a 2:2:3 ratio.

16. The biopolymer film of claim 15, further comprising at least two additives selected from a group consisting of: vanillin, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and stearic acid.

17. A biodegradable film comprising:

crystalline nano cellulose (CNC);

esterified crystalline nano cellulose (ECNC); and

chitosan;

wherein chitosan is an approximate weight of 40 to 60% of the film;

wherein the CNC and ECNC is an approximate weight of 40% to 60% of the film; and

wherein the combination of CNC, ECNC and chitosan provides for tensile properties, water vapor barrier properties, antimicrobial properties, thermal properties, barrier and structural properties, non-toxicity properties, edibility properties, compostable properties and biodegradable properties for the biodegradable film.

18. The biopolymer film of claim 17, wherein CNC and ECNC are present in approximately a 70:30 ratio.

19. The biopolymer film of claim 17, wherein the chitosan is derived from crustacean exoskeletons and the CNC and ECNC are derived from renewable agricultural sources.

20. The biopolymer film of claim 17, wherein the biopolymer film comprises an additive.

21. The biopolymer film of claim 20, wherein the additive is selected from a group consisting of: vanillin, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and stearic acid.

22. The biopolymer film of claim 17, wherein the CNC, ECNC and chitosan are present in approximately a 2:2:3 ratio.

Title

Crystalline nano cellulose reinforced chitosan based films for packaging and other biodegradeable applications

Inventor(s)

Vijaya K Rangari, Samia ISLAM, Woubit Salah Abebe

Assignee(s)

Tuskegee University

Patent #

11365297

Patent Date

June 21, 2022