Polylactic acid nanocomposites containing functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes as antimicrobial packaging
Fatima Zohra Yakdoumi1, Assia Siham Hadj-Hamou2, Nahla Rahoui3
1Ecole Militaire Polytechnique Chahid Abderrahmane Taleb, BP 17, Bordj el Bahri, Alger 16111, Algeria.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules
|June 1, 2022
Summary
Poly (lactic acid) nanocomposite films reinforced with modified carbon nanotubes show improved properties for food packaging. The PLA/TiO2-PDA-MWCNTs exhibited enhanced crystallization, mechanical strength, barrier, and antimicrobial characteristics.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) is a biodegradable polymer with potential for food packaging.
- Enhancing PLA's properties, such as mechanical strength and barrier characteristics, is crucial for broader applications.
- Nanofillers offer a promising route to improve polymer performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize poly (lactic acid) nanocomposite films for food packaging applications.
- To investigate the effect of polydopamine-wrapped carbon nanotubes (PDA-MWCNTs) and TiO2-modified PDA-MWCNTs as nanofillers on PLA properties.
- To evaluate the mechanical, barrier, crystallization, and antimicrobial performance of the developed nanocomposite films.
Main Methods:
- Melt-blending technique was used to prepare PLA nanocomposite films with varying nanofillers.
- Synthesis of modified MWCNTs (PDA-MWCNTs and TiO2-PDA-MWCNTs) was confirmed using TEM, Raman, FTIR, and TGA.
- Characterization included assessment of crystallization rate, barrier properties, nanomechanical properties (Young's modulus, hardness), and antimicrobial/antifungal activity.
Main Results:
- PLA nanocomposite films with 3 wt% modified MWCNTs showed enhanced properties compared to pristine PLA.
- PLA/TiO2-PDA-MWCNTs films exhibited a ~10% increase in crystallization rate, while PLA/PDA-MWCNTs showed a ~7% increase.
- Significant improvements in nanomechanical properties were observed: Young's modulus increased by up to 161% and hardness by up to 815% in PLA/TiO2-PDA-MWCNTs films.
- PLA nanocomposite films displayed strong antimicrobial and antifungal activity.
Conclusions:
- Modified MWCNTs, particularly TiO2-PDA-MWCNTs, effectively enhance the properties of PLA for food packaging.
- The developed nanocomposite films offer improved mechanical strength, barrier properties, and antimicrobial activity.
- These findings suggest potential for advanced, functional food packaging solutions using PLA-based nanocomposites.
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