Abstract
The aim of the research was to obtain intelligent and eco-friendly packaging materials by incorporating innovative additives of plant origin. For this purpose, natural substances, including green tea extract (polyphenon 60) and caffeic acid, were added to two types of biodegradable thermoplastics (Ingeo™ Biopolymer PLA 4043D and Bioplast GS 2189). The main techniques used to assess the impact of phytocompounds on materials’ thermal properties were differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TGA), which confirmed the improved resistance to thermo-oxidation. Moreover, in order to assess the activity of applied antioxidants, the samples were aged using a UV aging chamber and a weathering device, then retested in terms of dynamic mechanical properties (DMA), colour changing, Vicat softening temperature, and chemical structure, as studied using FT-IR spectra analysis. The results revealed that different types of aging did not cause significant differences in thermo-mechanical properties and chemical structure of the samples with natural antioxidants but induced colour changing. The obtained results indicate that polylactide (PLA) and Bioplast GS 2189, the plasticizer free thermoplastic biomaterial containing polylactide and starch (referred to as sPLA in the present article), both with added caffeic acid and green tea extract, can be applied as smart and eco-friendly packaging materials. The composites reveal better thermo-oxidative stability with reference to pure materials and are able to change colour as a result of the oxidation process, especially after UV exposure, providing information about the degree of material degradation.
Highlights
Packaging is an inseparable element of every product, including food [1], cosmetics [2], electronics [3], and clothing [4]
The results revealed that different types of aging did not cause significant differences in thermo-mechanical properties and chemical structure of the samples with natural antioxidants but induced colour changing
The obtained information about characteristic phase changes, such as enthalpy changes (∆H), glass transition temperature (Tg ), cold crystallization temperature (Tcc ), melting temperature (Tm ) and oxidation temperature (To ) were compared with measurement results of the same biomaterials enriched with a green tea extract and caffeic acid
Summary
Packaging is an inseparable element of every product, including food [1], cosmetics [2], electronics [3], and clothing [4]. The main function of packaging is protecting its content from the impact of the external factors and keep the goods safe for a specified period of time [5]. It can act as a marketing tool which helps to communicate with consumers [6]. Another aspect in the traditional classification of the packaging function is its convenience, which means that packaging should provide ease of use and save consumers’. Material selection for packaging application is of great importance
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