Abstract
Effects of high pressure treatment (0, 200 and 400 MPa) on water vapour barrier, microstructure, thermal, and mechanical properties of poly (lactic acid) (PLA)/Ag nanocomposite films were investigated. The migration behavior of nano-Ag from the nanocomposite films in the presence of 50% (v/v) ethanol as a food simulant was also studied. The water vapour barrier properties increased as pressure was applied to film-forming solutions. High pressure treatment enhanced the mutual effect between PLA and nanoparticles, leading to a more compact network structure in PLA/Ag nanocomposite films. Furthermore, PLA/Ag nanocomposite films treated by high pressure were significantly affected by microstructure, thermal, and mechanical properties when, compared with untreated samples. High pressure treatment at 200 to 400 MPa significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the migration of nano-Ag from the films. Overall, high pressure treatment on film-forming solutions showed potential in improving the functional properties of nanocomposite films, especially in relation to water vapour barrier properties.
Highlights
In recent years, biodegradable polymers represent an alternative to replace petroleum-based resins due to increasing environmental concerns [1,2,3]
The results showed that AgNPs incorporation and high pressure treatment could effectively improve the gas barrier property of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLA)/AgNPs nanocomposite films, and high pressure treatment was preferred
The AgNPs migration amount from PLA nanocomposites treated by high pressure was extremely little when compared with that incorporated, and it was considered safe
Summary
Biodegradable polymers represent an alternative to replace petroleum-based resins due to increasing environmental concerns [1,2,3]. PLA is a starch derived from fermented plant originating from renewable resources, such as sugarcane, beetroot, and potato starch [5,6]. It is safe as a food packaging material because it has been approved by the U.S Food &. The hydrophilicity of the PLA-based films are generally good, there is a poor water vapor barrier properties [8] In this concern, metal nanoparticles like zinc, silver, and titanium could enhance the gas barrier ability of biodegradable polymer films [9,10]. Shankar et al (2018) found that the permeation ability of water vapour significantly decreased by adding lignin and Ag nanoparticles [11,12]
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