Improved performance of metal-organic frameworks loaded cellulose acetate based film for packaging application

Abstract

Bio-nanocomposite-based packaging materials have gained significance due to their possible applications in food packaging. Cellulose acetate is a biopolymer obtained by acetylation of cellulose and has characteristics such as biocompatibility, biodegradability and high transparency. Introducing iron-based metal-organic frameworks offer good mechanical strength, unique surface area and both chemical and thermally stability, making them favourable as supporting materials in fabricating polymer-based packaging materials. Among them, Fe- (Material Institute Lavoisier) MIL-88A is an iron-based nontoxic metal-organic framework, integrated with cellulose acetate and spinach extract was added to the prepared material in different compositions and cast as film. The Spinach loaded, Fe- (Material Institute Lavoisier) MIL-88A integrated cellulose acetate film significantly enhanced the tensile strength, water vapour permeability, and anti-microbial activity. The prepared film is then characterized using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transforms infrared spectrometer (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Further, studies on mechanical properties as well as degradation tests and real-time applications of the prepared films were carried out.