Ultrasound-Regulated Molecular Reorganization and Property Enhancement in Gelatin-Glycerol Films.

O-acylation of chitosan nanofibers by short-chain and long-chain fatty acids

The design of biopolymers matrices for incorporating bioactive compounds represents a valuable technique for various biomedical and packaging applications. Propolis has developed as a natural byproduct from beekeeping for wound healing, food packaging, and food production applications. The current review focuses on the various composites prepared from propolis with polysaccharides like cellulose, chitosan, starch, and alginate, where the chemistry, synthesis, and application are seriously discussed. This study found that polysaccharide composite matrix with propolis may provide an appropriate platform for different applications such as wound healing and adequate biodegradable packaging. Using polysaccharide composite matrix with propolis is a promise policy for biodegradable active packaging upgrading and wound healing applications.

The grafting of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) brushes to silicon substrates by the copper(I)-catalyzed Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition, also coined as click chemistry, was studied in detail. First, the grafting kinetics of an alkyne-functionalized dimethylchlorosilane SAM from a toluene solution or in the vapor phase was monitored by water contact angle measurements. α-Methoxy-ω-azido-PEGs with Mw of 5, 20, and 50 kDa were then grafted to the alkyne functionalized SAMs via click chemistry in THF using Cu(PPh3)3Br/DIPEA as the catalytic system. The influence of polymer concentration in the grafting solution (Φ = 0.01–50 wt%) and reaction time (t = 0–72 h) on the thickness, morphology and wetting properties of the PEG brushes was investigated by ellipsometry, scanning probe microscopy and water contact angle measurements. PEG brushes up to 6 nm thick with homogeneous surface coverage and morphology as well as surface roughness on a nanometric scale were thus obtained using mild and robust grafting conditions.

Nanotechnology development in food packaging: A review

Chapter 27 - Nano-inks and their applications in packaging industries

Polymeric nanocomposites (PNCs) represent a transformative class of materials, offering remarkable advancements across scientific and industrial domains. By incorporating organic, inorganic, or hybrid nanomaterials into polymer matrices, PNCs achieve significant enhancements in mechanical, thermal, electrical, chemical, and gas barrier properties. The exceptional gas barrier performance of PNCs is particularly vital for aerospace applications, where materials must endure extreme conditions, including low pressure, temperature fluctuations, and exposure to harsh environments. Beyond aerospace and defence, PNCs are revolutionizing applications in packaging, sustainable materials, and advanced electronics, emerging as a superior alternative to traditional polymeric systems. This review highlights the latest advancements in the synthesis, characterization, and application of impermeable polymer nanocomposites. It discusses the state‐of‐the‐art research on the use of platy fillers (e.g., clay and graphene) including biodegradable fillers for the gas barrier performance of PNCs. It also provides insights into innovative synthesis techniques such as melt intercalation, solution blending, in situ polymerization and LbL assembly including predictive modelling approaches, such as molecular dynamics simulations that enable the design of high‐performance materials with tailored properties. Furthermore, it explores the interdisciplinary potential of PNCs, including their role in clean energy storage, flexible electronics, and biomedical applications. By addressing current challenges and opportunities, this review underscores the pivotal role of PNCs in driving innovation across multiple high‐performance industries.

Exploring ammonia plasma functionalization of graphenic surfaces: experiments, theoretical insights, and biological implications

Surface conjugation of poly (dimethyl siloxane) with itaconic acid-based materials for antibacterial effects

Titanium and titanium alloys are currently being used for clinical biomedical applications due to their high strength, corrosion resistance and elastic modulus. The Ti-30Ta alloy has gotten extensive application as the important biomedical materials. The substrate surface of the Ti-30Ta alloy was altered either by chemical or topographical surface modification. The biocompatibility of an implant is closely related to its surface properties. Thus surface modification is one of effective methods for improving the biocompatibility of implants. The development status of biomedical materials has been summarized firstly, the biomedical application. In this study Ti-30Ta alloy surface was investigate as-casting (Group 1) modified with alkaline and heat-treatments in NaOH with 1.5M at 60°C for 24 hrs (Group 2), alkaline and heat-treatments with SBF-coatings by immersion in NaOH and SBFX5 for 24hrs (Group 3), anodization process was performed in an electrolyte solution containing HF (48%) and H2SO4 (98%) with the addition of 5% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) 35V for 40 min (Group 4) and ion beam etching with 1200 eV ions with a beam current of 200 mA for a 3 hrs etch (Group 5). SEM was used to investigate the topography, EDS the chemical composition, and surface energy was evaluate with water contact angle measurement. SEM results show different structure on the surface for each group. EDS spectra identified similarity on Group 1, 4 and 5. The results indicate for group 2 an amorphous sodium tantalate hydrogel layer on the substrate surface and for group 3 the apatite nucleation on substrate surface. The Group 4 shows unorganized and vertically nanotubes and Group 5 shows a little alteration in the topography on the substrate surfaces. Overall the contact angle shows Group 5 the most hydrophobic and Group 4 the most hydrophilic. The study indicates Group 3 and 4 with potential for biomedical application. The next step the authors need to spend more time to study group 3 and 4 in the biomedical sciences.

Polycationic condensed tannin/polysaccharide-based polyelectrolyte multilayers prevent microbial adhesion and proliferation

Protein adsorption has a crucial effect on biocompatibility during the interaction of biomaterial surfaces and the biological environment. It is significant to understand and control the interactions among biomaterials and proteins for several biomedical applications. Surface engineering plays a significant role in determining biocompatibility by tuning the effects directly on proteins. In this study, amino acid (histidine and leucine) conjugated self-assembled molecules were synthesized and used to modify silicon dioxide (SiO2) surfaces to investigate protein adsorption behavior. Silicon dioxide surfaces were modified with (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane-conjugated histidine and leucine amino acids. Modified silicon dioxide surfaces were characterized by water contact angle measurements and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. Protein adsorption (human serum albumin, fibrinogen and immunoglobulin G) on silicon dioxide-coated crystals was investigated in situ by using a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) biosensor. From the results, model proteins showed different selectivities to the amino-acid-conjugated silicon dioxide-coated crystals depending on the type of the amino acid and concentration. Consequently, this controlled chemistry on the surface of biomaterials has a great potential to manipulate protein adsorption and enhance the biocompatibility of biomaterials for various biomedical applications.

Role of nanoparticles in phase separation and final morphology of superhydrophobic polypropylene/zinc oxide nanocomposite surfaces

Biopolymers such as chitosan and gelatin are emerging as leading alternatives to traditional plastic packaging due to their enhanced capabilities and biodegradability. Blends of chitosan and gelatin combine chitosan’s antimicrobial and film-forming properties with gelatin’s biocompatibility and flexibility. These biomaterials possess tunable mechanical, biological, and physicochemical properties, making them suitable for biomedical, pharmaceutical, food packaging, environmental, and agricultural applications. This study investigates the preparation and characterization of composite biopolymer films based on chitosan and gelatin, incorporating coffee silverskin extract (SSE) as a natural bioactive additive. Coffee silverskin, a by-product of coffee roasting, is rich in phenolic compounds and demonstrates notable antioxidant potential. The objective of this work was to enhance the antioxidant, mechanical, and physicochemical properties of chitosan–gelatin films through the integration of SSE. The biocomposite materials were prepared using solvent casting, followed by extensive characterization techniques, including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and UV–Vis spectroscopy. Additionally, color measurements, mechanical properties, and physicochemical properties were assessed. The transmission rates of oxygen and water vapor were also examined, along with the antioxidant activity of the films. The inclusion of coffee silverskin extract facilitated intermolecular interactions between the polymer chains, resulting in improved structural integrity. Furthermore, films containing CSE exhibited enhanced antioxidant activity (up to 28.43% DPPH radical scavenging activity), as well as improved water vapor barrier properties and mechanical strength compared to the pure chitosan–gelatin. The films showed a yellowish appearance. There was a noticeable reduction in the rate of oxygen transmission through the films as well. These results highlight the potential of coffee silverskin as a sustainable source of functional compounds for the development of bioactive materials suited for biodegradable packaging and biomedical applications.

Among commercial biodegradable polyesters, poly(glycolic acid) (PGA) has been rarely investigated for packaging applications, despite its unique advantages such as 100% compostability, high degree of crystallinity, high thermal stability and high gas barrier properties. The application of PGA has been limited by its mechanical brittleness, moisture sensitivity, and high melting temperature (~240°C), restricting its processing and applications for film packaging. In this study, PGA was modified by blending with poly (butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (PBAT) via melt‐extrusion. A commercial terpolymer of ethylene, acrylic ester and glycidyl methacrylate (EMA‐GMA) was selected for compatibilization. The phase morphology, rheology, thermal, mechanical and gas barrier properties of the blends were investigated. With addition of 20 wt. % EMA‐GMA, the elongation of PGA/PBAT (50/50 wt. %) blends was improved from 10.7% to 145%, the oxygen permeability was reduced from 125 to 103 (cm3 mm)/(m2 24 h atm), and the water vapor barrier performance was improved by ~47%. The enhancement in ductility, oxygen and water vapor barrier properties of the flexible blends were ascribed to the interfacial bonding between PBAT and PGA enabled by EMA‐GMA. The compatibilized PGA/PBAT blends with high thermal stability up to 300°C are preferable for high temperature or hot food packaging.

Hierarchical structures are commonly observed in nature and possess unique properties. The fabrication of hierarchical structures with well-controlled sizes in different length scales, however, is still a great challenge. To further understand the morphologies and properties of the hierarchical structures, here we present a novel strategy to prepare hierarchical polymer structures by combining the modified breath figure method and the template method. Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) honeycomb films with regular micropores are first prepared using the modified breath figure method by dipping PMMA films into mixtures of chloroform and methanol. The polymer chains on the honeycomb films are then annealed and wetted into the nanopores of anodic aluminum oxide templates via capillary forces, resulting in the formation of hierarchical polymer structures. The morphologies of the polymer structures, which can be controlled by the molecular weights of the polymers and the concentrations of the polymer solutions, are characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The surface wettabilities of the polymer structures are also examined by water contact angle measurements, and the hierarchical structures are observed to be more hydrophobic than the flat films and honeycomb films. This work not only provides a feasible approach to fabricate hierarchical polymer structures with controlled sizes but also gives a better understanding of the relationship between surface morphologies and properties.