Evaluation the effect of electricity flow on mechanical and permeability properties of chitosan film containing clay and silver nanoparticles

Chitosan based films have several disadvantages, such as poor mechanical properties and low moisture deterioration, which limits their use in food packaging. In this study, nanomaterials such as nanoclay (M) and nanosilver (Ag) were used to improve the properties of the film whilst applying electrical current during film drying. Nanocomposite films based on chitosan, were prepared by adding four levels 0, 1, 3 and 5% silver and clay, then heat and electricity with 0, 15, 30 and 60 Voltage were simultaneously applied to dry them, finally their characteristics like including WVP, O2P, physical and mechanical properties, and microstructure were studied. The presence of nanoparticles in nanocomposite films increased the moisture, thickness, opacity, WVP, O2P and improved mechanical properties, incomparison with pure chitosan film. On the other hand, the concentration of 3% in both treatments improve the permeability and mechanical properties of the 1 and 5% levels. The application of electrical current had no significant effect on moisture content, solubility and thickness. In contrast, the use of electric current with a voltage of 30, improved mechanical properties, turbidity and WVP and a voltage of 60, improved O2P in nanocomposites. The images produced by the SEM show that the pure chitosan film has a rough surface and multiple gaps and the film surface of the nanoclay is relatively smooth and compact, which allows for increased tensile strength and inhibitory properties. The film containing nanosilver also had a more turbulent structure with a gap, turbidity and mechanical properties, and less inhibitory properties than nanoclay.