Abstract
A novel double layered hybrid materials, consisting of low density polyethylene (LDPE) base layer and polycaprolactone (PCL) top layer containing surface modified nanocellulose (NC) based nanocomposites in 0.5 and 2 % loadings, were studied in order to design multipurpose packaging material. NC was covalently modified with maleic anhydride (MA) to obtain NCMA, and upon co-precipitation of copper (II) oxide (CuO) on NC and NCMA surface, NC-CuO and NCMA-CuO nanocomposite materials were produced. Two drying methods, conventional and lyophilization, were applied to investigate process influences on the properties of obtained hybrid material. Oxygen transmission rate and antimicrobial activity were determined for all produced hybrid materials. PE-PCL-NCMA-CuO-L2 exhibited the highest antifungal properties, indicating contribution of MA residual group and drying conditions (liophylisation) to achievement of 97 % reduction in cell viability of C. albicans. The sample with 2 % of NCMA-CuO, PE-PCL-NCMA-CuO2, demonstrated to be the most promising material regarding improvement in antibacterial and antifugal activity, as well as 16 % lower value of the oxygen transmission rate in comparison to pure LDPE.
Highlights
Increased demands for the new, smart bio-based materials in food packaging, with improved performance and increased health security caused significant progress in development of innovative materials for packaging purposes [1]
Hirvikorpi at al. used different thin film deposition techniques to obtain thin layers of Al2O3 on the PE surface. They showed that gas barrier properties were significantly improved once the packaging material was coated with a thin layer of Al2O3, regardless of employed deposition technique [3]
All chemicals used in preparation of hybrid films, sulfuric acid, acetic acid, maleic anhydride, perchloric acid, glacial acetic acid, copper(II) acetate, sodium hydroxide and organic solvents were purchased from commercial suppliers Sigma Aldrich and Fluka, p.a. grade
Summary
Increased demands for the new, smart bio-based materials in food packaging, with improved performance and increased health security caused significant progress in development of innovative materials for packaging purposes [1]. Light weight, water resistance and great stability are properties that make low density polyethylene (LDPE) a good candidate material in the area of food packaging [2]. Different approaches toward modification of PE surface have proven to be effective ways for improving materials. Used different thin film deposition techniques to obtain thin layers of Al2O3 on the PE surface. They showed that gas barrier properties were significantly improved once the packaging material was coated with a thin layer of Al2O3, regardless of employed deposition technique [3]. The advantages of organic/inorganic hybrid layered structures in producing materials with improved mechanical, antimicrobial and barrier properties have already been pointed out [48]
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