Renewable cellulosic nanocomposites for food packaging to avoid fossil fuel plastic pollution: a review

Abstract The extensive use of petroleum-based synthetic and non-biodegradable materials for packaging applications has caused severe environmental damage. The rising demand for sustainable packaging materials has encouraged scientists to explore abundant unconventional materials. For instance, cellulose, extracted from lignocellulosic biomass, has gained attention owing to its ecological and biodegradable nature. This article reviews the extraction of cellulose nanoparticles from conventional and non-conventional lignocellulosic biomass, and the preparation of cellulosic nanocomposites for food packaging. Cellulosic nanocomposites exhibit exceptional mechanical, biodegradation, optical and barrier properties, which are attributed to the nanoscale structure and the high specific surface area, of 533 m2 g−1, of cellulose. The mechanical properties of composites improve with the content of cellulose nanoparticles, yet an excessive amount induces agglomeration and, in turn, poor mechanical properties. Addition of cellulose nanoparticles increases tensile properties by about 42%. Barrier properties of the composites are reinforced by cellulose nanoparticles; for instance, the water vapor permeability decreased by 28% in the presence of 5 wt% cellulose nanoparticles. Moreover, 1 wt% addition of filler decreased the oxygen transmission rate by 21%. We also discuss the eco-design process, designing principles and challenges.

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Understanding the Barrier and Mechanical Behavior of Different Nanofillers in Chitosan Films for Food Packaging

Polymers ◽

10.3390/polym13050721 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 721 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

João Pires ◽

Camila Damásio de Paula ◽

Victor Gomes Lauriano Souza ◽

Ana Luísa Fernando ◽

Isabel Coelhoso

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Properties ◽

Mechanical Behavior ◽

Food Packaging ◽

Scientific Research ◽

Barrier Properties ◽

Plastic Pollution ◽

Functional Attributes ◽

Chitosan Films ◽

Commercial Applications ◽

Innovative Techniques

The continuous petroleum-based plastics manufacturing generates disposal issues, spreading the problem of plastic pollution and its rise in the environment. Recently, innovative techniques and scientific research promoted biopolymers as the primary alternative for traditional plastics, raising and expanding global bioplastic production. Due to its unmatched biological and functional attributes, chitosan (Ch) has been substantially explored and employed as a biopolymeric matrix. Nevertheless, the hydrophilicity and the weak mechanical properties associated with this biopolymer represent a significant intrinsic restriction to its implementation into some commercial applications, namely, in food packaging industries. Distinct methodologies have been utilized to upgrade the mechanical and barrier properties of Ch, such as using organic or inorganic nanofillers, crosslinkers, or blends with other polymers. This review intends to analyze the most recent works that combine the action of different nanoparticle types with Ch films to reinforce their mechanical and barrier properties.

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Paper-Based Oil Barrier Packaging using Lignin-Containing Cellulose Nanofibrils

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules25061344 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 25 (6) ◽

pp. 1344 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Ali H. Tayeb ◽

Mehdi Tajvidi ◽

Douglas Bousfield

Keyword(s):

Food Packaging ◽

Transmission Rate ◽

Cellulose Nanofibrils ◽

Water Vapor Permeability ◽

Surface Barrier ◽

Vapor Permeability ◽

Paper Machine ◽

Positive Role ◽

Water Contact ◽

Oxygen Transmission Rate

Environmental and health concerns are driving the need for new materials in food packaging to replace poly- or perfluorinated compounds, aluminum layers, and petroleum-based polymers. Cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) have been shown by a number of groups to form excellent barrier layers to oxygen and grease. However, the influence of lignin-containing cellulose nanofibrils (LCNF) on film barrier properties has not been well reported. Herein, thin films (16 g/m2) from LCNF and CNF were formed on paper substrates through a filtration technique that should mimic the addition of material at the wet end of a paper machine. Surface, barrier and mechanical attributes of these samples were characterized. The analysis on the surface free energy and water contact angle pointed to the positive role of lignin distribution in inducing a certain degree of water repellency. The observed oxygen transmission rate (OTR) and water vapor permeability (WVP) values of LCNF-coated samples were nearly similar to those with CNF. However, the presence of lignin improved the oil proof performance; these layered designs exhibited an excellent resistance to grease (kit No. 12). The attained papers with LCNF coat were formed into bowl-like containers using metal molds and a facile oven drying protocol to evaluate their resistance to oil penetration over a longer period. The results confirmed the capability of LCNF layer in holding commercially available cooking oils with no evidence of leakage for over five months. Also, an improvement in the tensile strength and elongation at break was observed in the studied papers. Overall, the proposed packaging material possesses viable architecture and can be considered as a fully wood-based alternative for the current fluorocarbon systems.

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Application of Chitosan as a Barrier Coating on Coated Ivory Board

Applied Mechanics and Materials ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.200.180 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 200 ◽

pp. 180-185 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Zhi Qiang Fang ◽

Gang Chen ◽

Yu Sha Liu ◽

Xin Sheng Chai

Keyword(s):

Water Vapor ◽

Double Layer ◽

Transmission Rate ◽

Single Layer ◽

Barrier Properties ◽

Vapor Permeability ◽

Oxygen Barrier ◽

Coated Paper ◽

Oxygen Transmission Rate ◽

Coating Weight

Chitosan solution was applied to coated ivory board as a barrier material, and the surface microstructure, oxygen resistance and water vapor permeability of chitosan-coated paper under different coating weight were studied. According to the images of scanning electron microscope(SEM) and Atomic force microscope(AFM), the coated ivory board surface has a smooth contour without pores and cracks after coating with chitosan. Increasing in coating hold-out of chitosan, the smoothness and the oxygen barrier properties of coated paper were improved considerably, but no improvement on water vapor resistance. An Oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of 119.0 cm3/m2•24h•0.1MPa was obtained when the coating weight of chitosan was 3.96 g/m2. Single-layer and double-layer techniques were used to coat coated ivory paper with chitosan; it was found that the OTR of paper, obtaining by double-layer coating technique, was lower than that of single-layer paper at similar coating weight. For the purpose of reducing water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of chitosan-coated paper, Poly(vinyldene chloride)(PVDC) was applied on the chitosan-coated paper. Water vapor and oxygen barrier properties were enhanced as the coating weight of PVDC increased from 1.05 g/m2to 7.40 g/m2. While the chitosan and PVDC was coated on coated ivory paper through bi-layer technique for 1.96 g/m2and 7.40g/m2, respectively, the WVTR and OTR of paper decreased by 66.3% and 98.0% separately, compared to that of the chitosan-coated paper for 1.96g/m2.

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Methylation of guar gum for improving mechanical and barrier properties of biodegradable packaging films

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-019-50991-7 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jyoti Tripathi ◽

Rupali Ambolikar ◽

Sumit Gupta ◽

Dheeraj Jain ◽

Jitendra Bahadur ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Properties ◽

Food Packaging ◽

Guar Gum ◽

Transmission Rate ◽

Average Molecular Weight ◽

Barrier Properties ◽

Partial Replacement ◽

Radius Of Gyration ◽

Biodegradable Films ◽

Gradual Improvement

Abstract Improving functional properties of biopolymers for use as environment friendly packaging is an area of current interest. Biodegradable films with improved barrier and mechanical properties were prepared from methylated guar gum. Methylation resulted in structural modification of guar gum (GG) promoting greater crystallization thereby enhancing thermal stability towards decomposition. Reduction in radius of gyration (Rg), weight average molecular weight (Mw), and an increase in polydispersity index (PDI) were also observed due to methylation. Methylated guar gum (MGG) films exhibited 40% lower water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) as compared to control purified guar gum (PGG) films. Films prepared by partial replacement of PGG with MGG (10, 25, 50, 75 and 100% w/w) showed gradual improvement in percent elongation. The study gives an insight on the role of methylation in enhancing barrier and mechanical properties of GG based biodegradable films for possible application in food packaging.

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Nano-Brick Wall Architectures Account for Super Oxygen Barrier PET Film by Quadlayer Assembly of Polyelectrolytes and α-ZrP Nanoplatelets

Polymers ◽

10.3390/polym10101082 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. 1082 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Dongmei Han ◽

Yiqing Luo ◽

Qing Ju ◽

Xujing Xiao ◽

Min Xiao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Zirconium Phosphate ◽

Food Packaging ◽

Transmission Rate ◽

Composite Films ◽

Barrier Properties ◽

Oxygen Barrier ◽

Brick Wall ◽

Oxygen Transmission Rate ◽

Repeat Units ◽

Pet Film

Nanobrick wall hybrid coating with super oxygen barrier properties were fabricated on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film using a quadlayer (QL) assembly of polyelectrolytes and nanoplateles. A quadlayer assembly consists of three repeat units of polyacrylic acid (PAA), poly (dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride) (PDDA) and layered α-zirconium phosphate (α-ZrP). PDDA with positive charges can assemble alternatively with both α-ZrP and PAA with negative charges to form nanobrick wall architectures on the surface of PET film via the electrostatic interaction. The lamellar structure of α-ZrP platelets and the dense QL assembly coating can greatly reduce the oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of PET film. Compared to pristine PET film, the OTR of PET (QL)19 is reduced from 57 to 0.87 cc/m2/day. Moreover, even with 19 QLs coating, PET (QL)19 composite film is still with an optical transparency higher than 90% and a haze lower than 10%. Therefore, the transparent PET (QL)n composite films with super oxygen barrier properties show great potential application in food packaging and flexible electronic packaging.

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Polypropylene/Ethylene—And Polar—Monomer-Based Copolymers/Montmorillonite Nanocomposites: Morphology, Mechanical Properties, and Oxygen Permeability

Polymers ◽

10.3390/polym13050705 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 705

Author(s):

Juan Felipe Castro-Landinez ◽

Felipe Salcedo-Galan ◽

Jorge Alberto Medina-Perilla

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Mechanical Properties ◽

Functional Groups ◽

Oxygen Permeability ◽

Transmission Rate ◽

Barrier Properties ◽

Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol ◽

Oxygen Transmission Rate ◽

Polar Functional Groups ◽

Polar Monomer

This research reports the influence of polar monomer contents in ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) and ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) on the morphology, mechanical and barrier properties of polypropylene/ethylene copolymer (PP) reinforced with organically modified montmorillonite (MMT). PP/EVA and PP/EVOH (75/25 wt %) blends were reinforced with 3 wt % MMT in an internal mixer system. Samples were compression-molded into films of 300μ μm. The structural characterization was made using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the mechanical properties were obtained by tension tests and the barrier properties by oxygen transmission rate (OTR). XRD patterns showed a combination of intercalated/exfoliated morphologies for the MMT, with higher d-001 interplanar distance increments for the blends with higher content of polar functional groups. SEM and TEM micrographs complement the results of the XRD analysis and show differences in the morphologies depending on the miscibility of the polyolefin and the polar monomer copolymer. Mechanical properties and oxygen permeability of composites exhibited a higher improvement, by the addition of MMT, for higher intermolecular interactions and most miscible polymeric system of the EVA. These results show that the higher the number of interactions, given by the VA or OH polar functional groups, the morphology and the miscibility between polyolefin and copolymer imply dispersion improvements of the nanocomposites and, in consequence, a higher improvement on the mechanical and barrier properties of the composite material.

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Effect of Nano-Silica Loading on Barrier and Mechanical Properties of Food Packaging Based LLDPE Film

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.488-489.919 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 488-489 ◽

pp. 919-922 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Sarinthip Thanakkasaranee ◽

Arjaree Pradittham ◽

Duangduen Atong ◽

Chiravoot Pechyen

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Properties ◽

Tensile Strength ◽

Food Packaging ◽

Transmission Rate ◽

Testing Machine ◽

Nano Silica ◽

Oxygen Transmission Rate ◽

Blown Film ◽

Morphology Of Films ◽

Future Work

In the present work, nano-silica was used in preparing LLDPE/nano-silica as an outer layer film for LLDPE reinforced nano-silica/LDPE/LLDPE multilayer film for microwavable packaging materials in future work. Thus, the objective of this work was studied the optimal of modified nano-silica loading into LLDPE film on barrier and mechanical properties. The experiments were divided into 2 main steps: surface treatment of nano-silica with vinyltriethoxysilane by ultrasonic agitation, and preparation of linear low density polyethylene film reinforced with untreated and treated nano-silica which different silica quantities are 1, 3, and 5 phr by blown film extruder. And then the surface morphology of films was examined by SEM. The properties of the film were analysis, oxygen transmission rate of film was characterized by OTR, water vapor transmission rate of film was characterized by WVTR, and tensile properties (tensile strength, % elongation and modulus) of films were examined by universal testing machine. Results indicated that the LLDPE loaded with 1 phr of nano-silica treated with vinyltriethoxysilane had better tensile strength and % elongation than at 3 and 5 phr of treated and untreated nano-silica.

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Effect of Protein Variety on Properties of Gelatin Edible Films

Applied Mechanics and Materials ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.365-366.1040 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 365-366 ◽

pp. 1040-1045 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Qian Nan Xun ◽

Qiao Lei ◽

Jian Qiang Bao ◽

Zhi Ying Huang

Keyword(s):

Transmission Rate ◽

Soybean Protein ◽

Composite Films ◽

Water Vapor Permeability ◽

Barrier Properties ◽

Edible Films ◽

Protein Isolate ◽

Vapor Permeability ◽

Soybean Protein Isolate ◽

Oxygen Transmission Rate

Influences of whey protein isolate (WPI), sodium caseinate (NaCas) and soybean protein isolate (SPI) on gelatin (GA) film properties were investigated by comparing with common plastic films. The results suggested that WPI and NaCas caused tensile strength (TS) of GA film increasing from 6.38MPa to 7.17MPa,7.52MPa; water vapor permeability (WVP) decreasing from 18.46*10-13g m-1 s-1 Pa-1 to 17.92*10-13g m-1 s-1,16.46*10-13g m-1 s-1; and resulted in oxygen transmission rate (O2TR) decreasing from 128.315cm3m-2d-10.1MPa-1 to 37.352 cm3m-2d-10.1MPa-1, 38.129 cm3m-2d-10.1MPa-1.WVP of GA films increased 13.2% and O2TR decreased 4.1% as the addition of SPI. NaCas-GA composite films was the optimal group which had significant advantage on Ts, optical properties and barrier properties.

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Films Based on Mater-Bi® Compatibilized with Pine Resin Derivatives: Optical, Barrier, and Disintegration Properties

Polymers ◽

10.3390/polym13091506 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (9) ◽

pp. 1506

Author(s):

Miguel Aldas ◽

Cristina Pavon ◽

José Miguel Ferri ◽

Marina Patricia Arrieta ◽

Juan López-Martínez

Keyword(s):

Food Packaging ◽

Transmission Rate ◽

Barrier Properties ◽

Oxygen Barrier ◽

Biodegradation Rate ◽

Optical Barrier ◽

Pine Resin ◽

Oxygen Transmission Rate ◽

Gum Rosin ◽

Uv Transmittance

Mater-Bi® NF866 (MB) was blended with gum rosin and two pentaerythritol esters of gum rosin (labeled as LF and UT), as additives, to produce biobased and compostable films for food packaging or agricultural mulch films. The films were prepared by blending MB with 5, 10, and 15 wt.% of each additive. The obtained films were characterized by optical, colorimetric, wettability, and oxygen barrier properties. Moreover, the additives and the MB-based films were disintegrated under composting conditions and the effect of each additive on the biodegradation rate was studied. All films were homogeneous and optically transparent. The color of the films tended to yellow tones due to the addition of pine resin derivatives. All the formulated films presented a complete UV-transmittance blocking effect in the UVA and UVB region, and those with 5 wt.% of pine resin derivatives increased the MB hydrophobicity. Low amounts of resins tend to maintain the oxygen transmission rate (OTR) values of the neat MB, due to its good solubilizing and compatibilizing effects. The disintegration under composting conditions test revealed that gum rosin completely disintegrates in about 90 days, while UT degrades 80% and LF degrades 5%, over 180 days of incubation. As expected, the same tendency was obtained for the disintegration of the studied films, although Mater-Bi® reach 28% of disintegrability over the 180 days of the composting test.

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Impact of Backbone Amide Substitution at the Meta- and Para-Positions on the Gas Barrier Properties of Polyimide

Materials ◽

10.3390/ma14092097 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (9) ◽

pp. 2097

Author(s):

Qian Wen ◽

Ao Tang ◽

Chengliang Chen ◽

Yiwu Liu ◽

Chunguang Xiao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Transmission Rate ◽

Barrier Properties ◽

Polyimide Film ◽

Flexible Display ◽

Gas Barrier ◽

Positron Annihilation Lifetime ◽

Barrier Materials ◽

Oxygen Transmission Rate ◽

Display Technology ◽

Gas Barrier Properties

This study designed and synthesised a meta-amide-substituted dianiline monomer (m-DABA) as a stereoisomer of DABA, a previously investigated para-amide-substituted dianiline monomer. This new monomer was polymerised with pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) to prepare a polyimide film (m-DABPI) in a process similar to that employed in a previous study. The relationship between the substitution positions on the monomer and the gas barrier properties of the polyimide film was investigated via molecular simulation, wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WXRD), and positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) to gain deeper insights into the gas barrier mechanism. The results showed that compared with the para-substituted DABPI, the m-DABPI exhibited better gas barrier properties, with a water vapour transmission rate (WVTR) and an oxygen transmission rate (OTR) as low as 2.8 g·m−2·d−1 and 3.3 cm3·m−2·d−1, respectively. This was because the meta-linked polyimide molecular chains were more tightly packed, leading to a smaller free volume and lower molecular chain mobility. These properties are not conducive to the permeation of small molecules into the film; thus, the gas barrier properties were improved. The findings have significant implications for the structural design of high-barrier materials and could promote the development of flexible display technology.

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