In situ green synthesis of rechargeable antibacterial N-halamine grafted poly(vinyl alcohol) nanofibrous membranes for food packaging applications

Abstract

Abstract Creating food packaging materials with antibacterial activity is of vital significance since it can inactivate bacteria in food and protect people from foodborne diseases; however, it has remained a big challenge. Herein, we fabricate N-halamine compound grafted poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) electrospun nanofibrous membranes with rechargeable antibacterial activity via in situ green synthesis method. The approach allows the rechargeable N-halamine moieties, dimethylol-5,5-dimethylhydantoin (DMDMH), to be covalently incorporated onto the PVA nanofibers, endowing the membranes with high bactericidal activity and durability. The resultant chlorinated DMDMH grafted PVA nanofibrous membranes (CPDNM-Cl) exhibit the integrated properties of rechargeable chlorination capacity (>4000 ppm), long-term durability, and robust mechanical strength, which can achieve 6 log CFU reduction of E. coli within 1 min even after 5 repeated chlorination-disinfection cycles. Most importantly, the successfully synthesis of the CPDNM-Cl can be used for food packaging pads to prolong the shelf-life of the food and shed light on the design and development of food packaging materials in a green and renewable way.