Preparation and characterization of synthetic melanin-like nanoparticles reinforced chitosan nanocomposite films

• Published in: Carbohydrate polymers Vol. 231; p. 115729
• Main Authors: Roy, Swarup, Van Hai, Le, Kim, Hyun Chan, Zhai, Lindong, Kim, Jaehwan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-03-2020
• Subjects: Antioxidant activity; Chitosan; Mechanical properties; Melanin nanoparticle; Nanocomposite film; Chitosan (Pubchem CID: 21896651); 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (Pubchem CID: 2735032); Nanocomposite film; Antioxidant activity; Potassium persulfate (Pubchem CID: 24412); Mechanical properties; Dopamine hydrochloride (Pubchem CID: 65340); Chitosan; 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (Pubchem CID: 9570474); Melanin nanoparticle
• ISSN: 0144-8617; 1879-1344
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2019.115729

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•Melanin like nanoparticles (MNP) were prepared from dopamine.•MNP reinforced chitosan nanocomposite films were made by simple mixing and casting method.•Improved UV shielding, hydrophobicity and mechanical properties of the nanocomposite films are shown.•Antioxidant activity of the nanocomposite films is enhanced by the incorporation of MNP.•The nanocomposite films are encouraging for food packaging.
This paper reports the preparation, characterization and properties of synthetic melanin-like nanoparticle (MNP) reinforced chitosan nanocomposite films. The MNP was prepared using dopamine hydrochloride and sodium hydroxide which followed by spontaneous oxidation. The prepared MNP was spherical in shape and in the size range of ∼100 nm. The MNP was used as a functional nanofiller to produce the chitosan/MNP nanocomposite films using simple solution mixing and casting method. The MNP are evenly dispersed and biocompatible with chitosan to form the nanocomposite films. The incorporation of MNP enhances the ultraviolet blocking, mechanical properties, swelling ratio, and hydrophobicity of the nanocomposite films. The reinforcement of MNP in chitosan does not deteriorate the thermal stability and water vapor barrier property of the nanocomposite films. Furthermore, the prepared nanocomposite films show strong antioxidant activity. The developed chitosan/MNP nanocomposite films can applied to active food packaging and biomedical packaging.