Effect of Drying Conditions on the Mechanical and Barrier Properties of Films Based on Chitosan

Films plasticized with glycerine were prepared using chitosan with two different molecular weights (Mw), 780 and 430 kDa. Films were obtained by drying at 80 and 40°C at 20 and 40% relative humidity (RH) in a climatic chamber. Drying kinetics were established by the measurement of the evolution of the actual temperatures of the film forming solutions. Chitosan Mw did not show any significant influence on drying kinetics. Drying temperature affected drying kinetics in a more intense way than drying RH. Maximum tensile strength (86 MPa) and elongation at break (56.5%) were obtained with slow drying cycles (lower drying T) and when higher Mw chitosan was employed. Minimum water vapor permeability (0.59 g · mm/kPa · h · m) was achieved for films dried at faster drying cycles (higher drying T). Chitosan Mw was not a significant factor affecting water vapor permeability.