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Article

Investigation of Flame and Thermal Degradation Behavior of Xanthan- and Gelatin-Based Composites Used as Topsoil Covers in Forestry

by
Alessandro Sorze
1,*,
Janine Bösing
2,
Sebastian Hirschmüller
2 and
Andrea Dorigato
1,*
1
Department of Industrial Engineering and INSTM Research Unit, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
2
Department of Research, Development and Transfer, Technical University of Applied Sciences Rosenheim, 83024 Rosenheim, Germany
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Molecules 2025, 30(16), 3324; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30163324
Submission received: 9 July 2025 / Revised: 29 July 2025 / Accepted: 7 August 2025 / Published: 8 August 2025

Abstract

This study focused on investigating the flammability and thermal degradation behavior of wood fiber-reinforced composites consisting of xanthan gum (XG) and gelatin (GEL). These materials could potentially be used as novel bio-based and biodegradable topsoil covers (TSCs) to support reforestation practices. To improve the thermal properties of these composites, xanthan gum was cross-linked with citric acid (CA) or tannic acid (TA) and eventually coated with casein, while gelatin was cross-linked with tannic acid. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that thermal degradation of all the prepared samples started at temperatures of 200 °C for xanthan-based samples and 300 °C for gelatin-based samples, which is well above the typical operating conditions for TSCs in their intended application. Single-flame-source tests demonstrated that the CA cross-linked xanthan-based TSCs coated with casein and all the gelatin-based TSCs had excellent self-extinguishing properties. Additionally, Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI) tests showed that gelatin-based composites had LOI values between 30 and 40 vol% O2, increasing with a higher gelatin-to-wood fiber ratio. These results demonstrated the potential of cross-linked biopolymers (e.g., xanthan and gelatin) as green flame retardants for the production of wood fiber-filled TSCs for use in forestry.
Keywords: xanthan; gelatin; wood fibers; topsoil cover; flammability; thermal degradation; forestry xanthan; gelatin; wood fibers; topsoil cover; flammability; thermal degradation; forestry

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MDPI and ACS Style

Sorze, A.; Bösing, J.; Hirschmüller, S.; Dorigato, A. Investigation of Flame and Thermal Degradation Behavior of Xanthan- and Gelatin-Based Composites Used as Topsoil Covers in Forestry. Molecules 2025, 30, 3324. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30163324

AMA Style

Sorze A, Bösing J, Hirschmüller S, Dorigato A. Investigation of Flame and Thermal Degradation Behavior of Xanthan- and Gelatin-Based Composites Used as Topsoil Covers in Forestry. Molecules. 2025; 30(16):3324. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30163324

Chicago/Turabian Style

Sorze, Alessandro, Janine Bösing, Sebastian Hirschmüller, and Andrea Dorigato. 2025. "Investigation of Flame and Thermal Degradation Behavior of Xanthan- and Gelatin-Based Composites Used as Topsoil Covers in Forestry" Molecules 30, no. 16: 3324. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30163324

APA Style

Sorze, A., Bösing, J., Hirschmüller, S., & Dorigato, A. (2025). Investigation of Flame and Thermal Degradation Behavior of Xanthan- and Gelatin-Based Composites Used as Topsoil Covers in Forestry. Molecules, 30(16), 3324. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30163324

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