Effectiveness assessment of TiO₂-Al₂O₃ nano-mixture as a filler material for improvement of packaging performance of PLA nanocomposite films

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of TiO2-Al2O3 nano-mixture used as filler in improving packaging films performance. Polylactic acid/titanium dioxide (PLA/TiO2), polylactic acid/alumina (PLA/Al2O3) and polylactic acid/TiO2-Al2O3 (PLA/TiO2-Al2O3) nanocomposite films were successfully prepared via melt mixing process and thoroughly characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The properties such as heat resistant, barrier, mechanical and antimicrobial properties, required for food packaging have also been investigated. As compared to the neat PLA film, the developed PLA nanocomposites have displayed superior properties particularly the PLA/ TiO2-Al2O3 nanocomposite film. This resulted material has showed a 22 °C increase in its thermal stability versus 14 and 2 °C in the cases of PLA/TiO2 and PLA/Al2O3 respectively, and a 54% reduction of its water vapor permeability in comparison with 47% for PLA/TiO2 and 39% for PLA/Al2O3. In addition, the PLA/TiO2-Al2O3 had a significant enhancement of its mechanical properties. Its Young modulus increased by 102% unlike 23.60% for the PLA/TiO2 and 44.66% for the PLA/Al2O3. It was also noticed that this nanocomposite film demonstrated stronger antibacterial activity than the two others. The bacterial growth inhibition effect of TiO2-Al2O3 nano-mixture against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli bacteria was more effective than that of its two constituents.

A Novel Biodegradable Composite Polymer Material Based on PLGA and Silver Oxide Nanoparticles with Unique Physicochemical Properties and Biocompatibility with Mammalian Cells

“…The average value of the ζ-potential of the NPs synthesized by us is -30 mV (Figure 3b), which corresponds to stable NPs [69]. The absorption spectra with a peak at 450 nm correspond to silver oxide NPs [20,22]. According to TEM data with elemental analysis, we obtained an Ag:O ratio of ~2:1 (Figure 4), which indicates that the nanoparticles we obtained mainly consist of silver (I) Ag 2 O oxide.…”

“…[15][16][17][18]. In addition, polymer films supplemented by metal oxide NPs and the surfaces of such films acquire antibacterial properties [19][20][21][22][23]. At present, such nanocomposites are already used to create cover, textile, and even building materials with antibacterial properties [23,24].…”

Application of ethylene‐regulating packaging in post‐harvest fruits and vegetables storage: A review

“…They found that nanofibers containing 5 wt% TiO 2 have better performance, which can effectively degrade ethylene and delay the aging of bananas. Besides, Yakdoumi et al 49 prepared polylactic acid (PLA) film, PLA/TiO 2 film, PLA/aluminium oxide (Al 2 O 3 ) film, and PLA/TiO 2 ‐Al 2 O 3 film by melting process, among which PLA/TiO 2 ‐Al 2 O 3 film had the best performance and PLA film had the worst performance. Materials such as Pt and graphene oxide have also been reported to be used for the modification of TiO 2 , and their use has also improved the ethylene scavenging ability of TiO 2 .…”

“…They found that nanofibers containing 5 wt% TiO 2 have better performance, which can effectively degrade ethylene and delay the aging of bananas. Besides, Yakdoumi et al 49 Materials such as Pt and graphene oxide have also been reported to be used for the modification of TiO 2 , and their use has also improved the ethylene scavenging ability of TiO 2 .…”

Shape memory and mechanical characterization of polylactic acid wood composite fabricated by fused filament fabrication 4D printing technology

“…In this regard, nanosilica reinforced polylactic acid composite has promising properties as a potential material for 3D Printing application [17]. Addition of nanoalumina and nanotitania as reinforcement in polylactic acid based composite enhanced the mechanical properties, thermal stability and antibacterial properties of composite material [18]…”