Seaweed-derived alginate is biodegradable and biocompatible, but sodium-alginate films are mechanically weak. With glycerol plasticizer, calcium-alginate powder at 2.5-20 wt% was added before thermo-compression. SEM/EDS indicated good interfaces and moisture declined with CA content. At 20 wt%, tensile strength reached 11.7 MPa and modulus 234.7 MPa, increases of 208% and 907% over unfilled SA, showing effective reinforcement by an ionically distinct alginate filler.
Key findings
- CA showed good adhesion and reduced moisture; 20 wt% reached 11.7 MPa strength and 234.7 MPa modulus, 208% and 907% above control.
Why this matters globally
Thermo-compression may scale more readily than some solvent-casting routes, and marine-derived feedstocks could serve packaging, agriculture or biomedical products if full performance and sustainable sourcing are demonstrated.
Thai researcher contribution
Prasong Srihanam, Wilaiwan Simchuer and Yodthong Baimark of Mahasarakham and Loei Rajabhat universities form the Thai materials and processing team.
Limitations to consider
Elongation, toughness, tear, barrier, transparency, migration, biodegradation and aging are absent. Large modulus gains may mean brittleness. Biomedical claims need cytotoxicity and sterilization; packaging needs food-contact and benchmark evidence.
Verify the original sources
Marine DrugsRead the original article↗DOI: 10.3390/md24040142