Development of Multilayer Films Obtained From Epoxidized Methyl Esters, Polyhydroxyalkanoates and Their Combinations

The aim of this work was the production and characterization of films prepared from starch, gelatin and methyl esters of epoxidized macauba (Acrocomia aculeata), corn (Zea mays), pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus), pintado (Pseudoplatystoma corruscans) and soybean (Glycine max) and also multilayer films of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) conjugated with two of the epoxides that presented the best results in characterizations. The two types of films EEF (Epoxidized esters films) and EEFPHA (Epoxidized esters and PHA conjugated films) were both characterized for their visual aspects, solubility in water and acid, width, color, opacity, water vapor permeability, tensile strength and elongation. EEFPHA were also characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analyses. The epoxidation reaction was successfully carried out; with the GC-MS analysis indicating the formation of epoxidized esters derived from linoleic and oleic acids. The addition of the epoxidized esters to the EEF films caused an increase in film thickness, opacity, solubility in water, tensile strength and elongation, while the solubility in acid presented the same value as compared to the blank sample. In the EEFPHA samples, addition of filmogenic solution of epoxidized esters from corn and macauba presented a value exceeding the standard in the thickness, opacity, water solubility, water vapor permeability and tensile strength analyses. In the analysis of solubility in acid these samples showed results below the standard, and the elongation test showed values very close. DSC, SEM and XRD results showed that there was a polymeric incorporation between the starch and the PHA.