Eco-friendly soluble soybean polysaccharide/nanoclay Na+ bionanocomposite: Properties and characterization

The impact of montmorillonite (MMT) as a nanofiller at different concentrations (5, 10, 15 wt.%) on the physicochemical and functional properties of nanocomposite film based on soluble soybean polysaccharide (SSPS) was investigated. The results showed that an increase in MMT concentration was accompanied by a decrease in water solubility, thickness, and elongation at break. Furthermore, tensile strength increased when MMT concentration was increased to 10 wt.%. Atomic force and scanning electron micrographs showed a significant agglomeration at MMT 15 wt.%. With added MMT, the level of whiteness, greenness, and yellowness of SSPS film increased (P<0.05). Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis indicated that the storage modulus of nanocomposites increased when the MMT was increased to 10 wt.%. Furthermore, Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry demonstrated that no considerable changes occurred in the functional groups of the SSPS when MMT was added. Antimicrobial tests revealed that antibacterial and anti-mold activities were unlikely from reinforced nanocomposites.