Bio- and Fossil-Based Polymeric Blends and Nanocomposites for Packaging: Structure–Property Relationship

Abstract

In the present review, the possibilities for blending of commodities and bio-based and/or biodegradable polymers for packaging purposes has been considered, limiting the analysis to this class of materials without considering blends where both components have a bio-based composition or origin. The production of blends with synthetic polymeric materials is among the strategies to modulate the main characteristics of biodegradable polymeric materials, altering disintegrability rates and decreasing the final cost of different products. Special emphasis has been given to blends functional behavior in the frame of packaging application (compostability, gas/water/light barrier properties, migration, antioxidant performance). In addition, to better analyze the presence of nanosized ingredients on the overall behavior of a nanocomposite system composed of synthetic polymers, combined with biodegradable and/or bio-based plastics, the nature and effect of the inclusion of bio-based nanofillers has been investigated.

Preparation and application of nanocellulose from Miscanthus × giganteus to improve the quality of paper for bags

“…In the production of packaging materials, in particular paper for bags, synthetic reinforcing additives are used that adversely affect the environment. All this contributes to extensive research on the replacement of synthetic reinforcing materials with natural substances, particularly the use of nanocellulose [23,28].…”

Preparation and Single Crystal Structure Determination of the First Biobased Furan-Polydiacetylene Using Topochemical Polymerization

“…Biomass and biomass-derived materials are considered by the scientific community as some of the most promising alternatives for decreasing the current dependence on fossil resources [1][2][3][4][5][6]. This is evidenced by plans to gradually replace some petroleum-based plastic by bio-based plastic [7][8][9][10][11][12] or at least hybrid bio-and fossil-based polymeric blends [13,14]. Synthesis of bio-based polymers, especially furan-based polymers, has, therefore, been the subject of extensive studies [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23].…”

Performances of PCL/PVC/Organoclay Nanobioblends Films for Packaging Applications

“…It should be recalled, in this context, that the term “bioblend” often refers to polymer blends comprising at least one biodegradable polymer with other polymers, on the condition that the biodegradable polymer be compatible with other blend component polymers. Moreover, blending biopolymer with a fossil one seems like an efficient way to improve some characteristics of biodegradable polymers, changing degradation rates and modulating the cost of the resulted materials . Such blends are gaining popularity as an approach for degradable packaging plastics, since the partial loss of form and bulk during disintegration may be sufficient to decrease the volume in landfill .…”

“…Moreover, blending biopolymer with a fossil one seems like an efficient way to improve some characteristics of biodegradable polymers, changing degradation rates and modulating the cost of the resulted materials. [2,3] Such blends are gaining popularity as an approach for degradable packaging plastics, since the partial loss of form and bulk during disintegration may be sufficient to decrease the volume in landfill. [4] Based on this approach, several researchers [2,3,5,6] focused on the biodegradability study of these bioblends, among them S.M.…”

“…[2,3] Such blends are gaining popularity as an approach for degradable packaging plastics, since the partial loss of form and bulk during disintegration may be sufficient to decrease the volume in landfill. [4] Based on this approach, several researchers [2,3,5,6] focused on the biodegradability study of these bioblends, among them S.M. Martins Franchetti and her collaborators [7] who studied the biodegradation of polypropylene/poly-(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PP/PHBV) blend (70/ 30, w/w) films in soil.…”