High performance biobased poly(ethylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate) nanocomposites for food and cosmetics packaging materials: PMDA chain extended and TiO2 NPs functionalized

Abstract

Poly (ethylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate) (PEF) has attracted more attention due to its excellent properties and great potential to be the substitute of the petroleum-based polyethylene terephthalate (PET). However, the improvement of toughness and functionality from nano materials were limited. Here, we prepared novel PEF/TiO2 nanocomposites from dimethyl 2,5-furandicarboxylate (DMFD), ethylene glycol (EG), pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) and TiO2 nanoparticles via one-pot polycondensation. The optimized PMDA (5‰ mol/mol of DMFD), TiO2 (60 nm, 0.5-10‰ wt./wt. of PEF) or TiO2 (30 nm or 100 nm, 3‰) served as extender, fillers, and comparison, respectively. The Tgs (∼88 °C) and the thermal stability of all nanocomposites were higher than pure PEF. The crystallization rate of the nanocomposites (60 nm-TiO2, 3‰) was improved mostly, and its half-crystallization time (t1/2) decreased to 6.16 min at 160 °C. The impact strength of nanocomposites (60 nm-TiO2, 10‰) could reach to 52.2 × 103 J/m2. Interestingly, the ultraviolet and blue-light shielding of PEF/TiO2 nanocomposites increased from 45.4% to 93.5% and 21.5% to 74.3%, respectively. The antibacterial activity of nanocomposites against E. coli also increased to 83%. The maximum migration of Ti during 35 d was 1.82 µg/g (FDA and EU guidance level are 10 µg/g). PEF/TiO2 nanocomposites shown great potential in industrial production and application.