Fabrication and Characterization of Semi-refined Carrageenan Films Incorporated with TiO2 Nanoparticles

Abstract

In this study, a packaging film was developed using semi-refined carrageenan, incorporating varying concentrations of TiO₂ nanoparticles. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of TiO₂ nanoparticles on the properties of the SRC-based film. The films were prepared through a casting method, and the resulting samples were characterized in terms of their functional, mechanical, and physical properties. The SRC film containing 1 wt% of TiO₂ nanoparticles demonstrated the highest tensile strength. However, with the addition of TiO₂ nanoparticles at any concentrations (1, 3, 5, and 7 wt%), the elongation at break of the SRC film decreased in comparison to the SRC film without TiO₂ nanoparticles. Moreover, as the concentration of TiO₂ nanoparticles increased from 1 to 7 wt%, the moisture content, and water solubility of the SRC films decreased. The FTIR spectra analysis provided valuable information on the interaction between SRC and TiO₂ nanoparticles. The results suggest that incorporating TiO₂ nanoparticles into semi-refined carrageenan films shows promise for developing packaging materials with improved mechanical strength and physical performance.