Design of Nano-Filled PET Sheets With Enhanced Barrier Properties

Author(s):  
Fabrizio Quadrini ◽  
Denise Bellisario ◽  
Loredana Santo

Barrier properties are achieved in PET food packaging by using additives, coatings or multi-layers. An analytical model to predict the contamination during multiple recycling steps of this packaging is proposed. This model shows that lower contents of non-PET materials should be achieved to promote a valid recycling chain. A possible solution is using nano-technologies because of the very small amount of added material. Results are shown in the case of PVD coatings with aluminum target, and PET nano-composites. In both cases, less than 0.1 wt% of aluminum is able to reduce the oxygen transmission ratio of the PET packaging down to 50% of the virgin PET sheet.

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Razieh Niazmand ◽  
Bibi Marzieh Razavizadeh ◽  
Farzaneh Sabbagh

The physical, thermal, mechanical, optical, microstructural, and barrier properties of low-density polyethylene films (LDPE) containing ferula asafoetida leaf and gum extracts were investigated. Results showed a reduction in elasticity and tensile strength with increasing extract concentration in the polymer matrix. The melting temperature and enthalpy increased with increasing concentration of extracts. The films containing extracts had lower L∗ and a∗ and higher b∗ indices. The films containing leaf extract had more barrier potential to UV than the gum extracts. The oxygen permeability in films containing 5% of leaf and gum extracts increased by 2.3 and 2.1 times, respectively. The morphology of the active films was similar to bubble swollen islands, which was more pronounced at higher concentrations of gum and leaf extracts. FTIR results confirmed some chemical interactions of ferula extracts with the polymer matrix. At the end of day 14th, the growth rate of Aspergillus niger and Saccharomyces cerevisea in the presence of the PE-Gum-5 reduced more than PE-Leaf-5 (3.7 and 2.4 logarithmic cycles, respectively) compared to the first day. Our findings showed that active LDPE films have desire thermo-mechanical and barrier properties for food packaging.


2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 491-515
Author(s):  
Tom Lindström ◽  
Folke Österberg

AbstractThis review deals with the evolution of bio-based packaging and the emergence of various nanotechnologies for primary food packaging. The end-of life issues of packaging is discussed and particularly the environmental problems associated with microplastics in the marine environment, which serve as a vector for the assimilation of persistent organic pollutants in the oceans and are transported into the food chain via marine and wild life. The use of biodegradable polymers has been a primary route to alleviate these environmental problems, but for various reasons the market has not developed at a sufficient pace that would cope with the mentioned environmental issues. Currently, the biodegradable plastics only constitute a small fraction of the fossil-based plastic market. Fossil-based plastics are, however, indispensable for food safety and minimization of food waste, and are not only cheap, but has generally more suitable mechanical and barrier properties compared to biodegradable polymers. More recently, various nanotechnologies such as the use of nanoclays, nanocellulose, layer-by-layer technologies and polyelectrolyte complexes have emerged as viable technologies to make oxygen and water vapor barriers suitable for food packaging. These technological developments are highlighted as well as issues like biodegradation, recycling, legislation issues and safety and toxicity of these nanotechnologies.


Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 2133
Author(s):  
Helena Oliver-Ortega ◽  
Josep Tresserras ◽  
Fernando Julian ◽  
Manel Alcalà ◽  
Alba Bala ◽  
...  

Packaging consumes around 40% of the total plastic production. One of the most important fields with high requirements is food packaging. Food packaging products have been commonly produced with petrol polymers, but due to environmental concerns, the market is being moved to biopolymers. Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) is the most promising biopolymer, as it is bio-based and biodegradable, and it is well established in the market. Nonetheless, its barrier properties need to be enhanced to be competitive with other polymers such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Nanoclays improve the barrier properties of polymeric materials if correct dispersion and exfoliation are obtained. Thus, it marks a milestone to obtain an appropriate dispersion. A predispersed methodology is proposed as a compounding process to improve the dispersion of these composites instead of common melt procedures. Afterwards, the effect of the polarity of the matrix was analyzing using polar and surface modified nanoclays with contents ranging from 2 to 8% w/w. The results showed the suitability of the predispersed and concentrated compound, technically named masterbatch, to obtain intercalated structures and the higher dispersion of polar nanoclays. Finally, the mechanical performance and sustainability of the prepared materials were simulated in a food tray, showing the best assessment of these materials and their lower fingerprint.


Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 721 ◽  
Author(s):  
João Pires ◽  
Camila Damásio de Paula ◽  
Victor Gomes Lauriano Souza ◽  
Ana Luísa Fernando ◽  
Isabel Coelhoso

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.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (16) ◽  
pp. 3436 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Borrega ◽  
Hannes Orelma

The effects of xylan extraction from birch kraft pulp on the manufacture and properties of cellulose nanofibril (CNF) films were here investigated. Hot water extractions of bleached and unbleached kraft pulps were performed in a flow-through system to remove and recover the xylan. After the extraction, the pulps were oxidized with 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical (TEMPO) and fibrillated in a high-pressure microfluidizer. Compared to CNF from bleached kraft pulp, the CNF dispersions obtained from water-extracted pulps were less viscous and generally contained a higher amount of microfiber fragments, although smaller in size. In all cases, however, smooth and highly transparent films were produced from the CNF dispersions after the addition of sorbitol as plasticizer. The CNF films made from water-extracted pulps showed a lower tensile strength and ductility, probably due to their lower xylan content, but the stiffness was only reduced by the presence of lignin. Interestingly, the CNF films from water-extracted bleached pulps were less hydrophilic, and their water vapour permeability was reduced up to 25%. Therefore, hot water extraction of bleached birch kraft pulp could be used to produce CNF films with improved barrier properties for food packaging, while obtaining a high-purity xylan stream for other high-value applications.


BioResources ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 9569-9574
Author(s):  
Marta Kaźmierczak ◽  
Tomasz P. Olejnik ◽  
Magdalena Kmiotek

In some respects the safest food packaging material is paper that is completely free of chemical additives, made only from primary cellulosic fibers. There is no information in the literature on giving paper barrier properties using nanocellulose without any additives, especially bacterial cellulose, by applying a coating to a fibrous semi-product. In order to prepare paper-layered composites, paper sheets made of beaten or non-beaten softwood or hardwood cellulose pulp, or their 50/50 (wt./wt.) mix, were used in the experiment. After the application of bacterial cellulose onto the sheets, the paper became completely impermeable to air, which means that fine microbial fibers had filled the voids (pores) between plant cellulose fibers. The results of the experiment could be regarded as a perfect, biodegradable packaging material.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (109) ◽  
pp. 49-64
Author(s):  
F. Fahma ◽  
I. Febiyanti ◽  
N. Lisdayana ◽  
I.W. Arnata ◽  
D. Sartika

Purpose: This paper presents a comprehensive review of nanocellulose and its application in several applications, including composites, biomedical, and food packaging fields. Design/methodology/approach: General explanations about cellulose and nanocellulose have been described. Different types of nanocellulose (cellulose nanofibers, cellulose nanocrystals, bacterial nanocellulose) as well as their isolation processes (mechanical process, chemical process) have been reviewed. Several surface modifications have been explained to improve the dispersion of nanocellulose in non-polar polymers. The possible utilization of nanocellulose in composites, biomedical, and food packaging fields have also been analysed. Findings: This review presents three application fields at once, namely composites, biomedical, and food packaging fields. In the composite field, nanocellulose can be used as a reinforcing agent which increases the mehcnical properties such as tensile strength and toughness, and thermal stability of the final composites. In the biomedical field, nanocellulose is reinforced into hydrogel or composites which will be produced as tissue scaffolding, wound dressing, etc. It is found that the addition of nanocellulose can extend and control the drug release. While in the packaging field, nanocellulose is added into a biopolymer to improve the barrier properties and decrease the water and oxygen vapor transmission rates. Research limitations/implications: Nanocellulose has a hydrophilic nature, thus making it agglomerated and difficult to disperse in most non-polar polymers. Therefore, certain surface modification of nanocellulose are required prior to the preparation of composites or hydrogels.Practical implications: Further research regarding the toxicity of nanocellulose needs to be investigated, especially when applying it in the biomedical and food packaging fields. Originality/value: This review presents three application fields at once, namely composites, biomedical, and food packaging fields.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1002 ◽  
pp. 57-65
Author(s):  
Abdulkader M. Alakrach ◽  
Nik Noriman Zulkepli ◽  
Awad A. Al-Rashdi ◽  
Sam Sung Ting ◽  
Rosniza Hamzah ◽  
...  

This study aimed to develop novel Polylactic acid/ Halloysite (PLA/ HNTs) films which showed better properties when they were used for food packaging. They also displayed better mechanical, barrier, morphological and structural properties when the researchers analysed the impact of the electron beam irradiation on the nanomaterials. They prepared PLA-based nanocomposites containing 5 % w/w of HNTs using the solution casting process. These nanocomposites were further exposed to different ebeam doses (i.e., 0, 20, 40 and 60 kGy). The researchers assessed the effect of the electron beam irradiation on the various properties of the PLA. All the composites showed a homogenous dispersion and distribution of the HNTs in this PLA matrix. Results indicated that the nanocomposites showed better barrier properties in comparison to the neat PLA. Furthermore, the ebeam irradiation could increase the glass-transition temperature and lead to the development of more crosslinks, which increased the degradation temperature and hydrophilicity of the nanocomposites. In this study, the researchers showed that the PLA/HNTs films were effective materials that could be used for the electron beam processing of the pre-packed foods. The best effect was noted for the 20 kGy dosage which was used in the study.


Materials ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 2346 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stanislav Kotsilkov ◽  
Evgeni Ivanov ◽  
Nikolay Vitanov

Nanoparticles of graphene and carbon nanotubes are attractive materials for the improvement of mechanical and barrier properties and for the functionality of biodegradable polymers for packaging applications. However, the increase of the manufacture and consumption increases the probability of exposure of humans and the environment to such nanomaterials; this brings up questions about the risks of nanomaterials, since they can be toxic. For a risk assessment, it is crucial to know whether airborne nanoparticles of graphene and carbon nanotubes can be released from nanocomposites into the environment at their end-life, or whether they remain embedded in the matrix. In this work, the release of graphene and carbon nanotubes from the poly(lactic) acid nanocomposite films were studied for the scenarios of: (i) biodegradation of the matrix polymer at the disposal of wastes; and (ii) combustion and fire of nanocomposite wastes. Thermogravimetric analysis in air atmosphere, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were used to verify the release of nanoparticles from nanocomposite films. The three factors model was applied for the quantitative and qualitative risk assessment of the release of graphene and carbon nanotubes from nanocomposite wastes for these scenarios. Safety concern is discussed in respect to the existing regulations for nanowaste stream.


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