Characterization of Dielectric Barrier Discharge Atmospheric Air Plasma Treated Chitosan Films

Abstract

Dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma is a novel non-thermal food decontamination technology. The effects of DBD plasma on the surface topography, chemical composition and crystal structure, film hydrophilicity, water vapor permeability and oxygen permeability of chitosan films have been examined. DBD plasma treatment increased the surface roughness of chitosan films with emergence of sharp protuberances. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectra confirm a significant increase in the oxygen containing groups in the chitosan film after plasma treatment. Significant increase in the film hydrophilicity was observed after plasma treatment. X-ray diffraction results showed that DBD plasma treatment do not affect the crystal type, although an increase in the structural compactness was observed. No significant change was observed in barrier properties of the chitosan film after DBD plasma treatment. Practical Applications: In-package cold plasma is an innovative technology for the decontamination of foods products and has shown significant potential for industrial applications. This article accesses the suitability of chitosan film to be used with cold plasma treatment. This work characterizes the effect of DBD plasma on the surface, chemical, structural and barrier properties of chitosan film. The work described in this research offers an alternative to the traditional petro-chemical based polymers dominant in food packaging industry where in-package cold plasma can serve as an effective decontamination process avoiding any post-process recontamination or hazards from the package itself.