Smart films based on bacterial cellulose nanofibers modified by conductive polypyrrole and zinc oxide nanoparticles

Abstract

ABSTRACTIn this study, we synthesized novel films based on bacterial cellulose (BC), BC modified by polypyrrole (PPy), and a PPy–zinc oxide nanocomposite (BC–PPy–ZnO). The soft polymerization method at room temperature was used to obtain the BC–PPy and BC–PPy–ZnO films. The Combined D‐Optimal design was used to study the effects of the pyrrole monomer concentration, ZnO concentration, and polymerization time on the morphological, physical, color, and electrical conductivity properties of the films. Fourier transform infrared results reflected that some new interactions occurred between BC and PPy and PPy–ZnO. The X‐ray diffraction analysis showed that the crystalline behavior of the BC fiber was hindered because of the complete coating with the amorphous PPy particles. Scanning electron microscopy results show that the ZnO, PPy, and PPy–ZnO nanoparticles were placed between the BC fibers. PPy decreased the water vapor permittivity and total soluble matter percentage. Electrical conductivity studies of the synthesized BC–PPy–ZnO film showed that the film's electrical resistance was changed in different oxidation–reduction or volatile compounds media, so the results suggest that the BC–PPy–ZnO films could be used in antioxidative food active packaging and smart packaging. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46617.