Nanocomposites for Food Packaging Applications: An Overview

Abstract

There is a strong drive in industry for packaging solutions that contribute to sustainable development by targeting a circular economy, which pivots around the recyclability of the packaging materials. The aim is to reduce traditional plastic consumption and achieve high recycling efficiency while maintaining the desired barrier and mechanical properties. In this domain, packaging materials in the form of polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) can offer the desired functionalities and can be a potential replacement for complex multilayered polymer structures. There has been an increasing interest in nanocomposites for food packaging applications, with a five-fold rise in the number of published articles during the period 2010–2019. The barrier, mechanical, and thermal properties of the polymers can be significantly improved by incorporating low concentrations of nanofillers. Furthermore, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties can be introduced, which are very relevant for food packaging applications. In this review, we will present an overview of the nanocomposite materials for food packaging applications. We will briefly discuss different nanofillers, methods to incorporate them in the polymer matrix, and surface treatments, with a special focus on the barrier, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. On the practical side migration issues, consumer acceptability, recyclability, and toxicity aspects will also be discussed.

Thermal Stability and Decomposition Mechanism of PLA Nanocomposites with Kraft Lignin and Tannin

“…One of the most sufficient pathways to synthesize PLA includes the ring opening polymerization of lactide, which is formed by lactic acid; a product of agricultural compounds fermentation [4]. The extended range of its applications can be outlined by its use from the biomedical and bioengineering field [5][6][7] to packaging and everyday-life products [1,[8][9][10]. In a more specific context, this aliphatic polyester has been employed for the construction of 3D-printed structures utilized Polymers 2021, 13, 2818 2 of 16 to fulfil several purposes [11][12][13], whereas its application for the preparation of materials with advanced antimicrobial and antioxidant surfaces should also be highlighted [8,[14][15][16].…”

“…Concerning the PLA counterpart, the L-/D-lactide isomers ratio and the macromolecular extent also play a crucial role in the degree of crystallinity [18]. To overcome the limitations attributed to crystallinity and tune the relative properties desired for specific applications, scientific research has been directed towards the synthesis of PLA nanocomposites with several types of nanoscale fillers, including metals, metal oxides, carbon nanotubes and several other clays [10,[19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28]. In general, nano-sized fillers are proved to be excellent agents to boost several properties of polymers, including thermal stability, degradation efficiency, optical, mechanical and permeation properties [29][30][31][32].…”

Detection of Silver Nanoparticles in Seawater Using Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering

“…Nanomaterials [ 1 ] are becoming more and more prevalent as ingredients for several consumer products such as paints, personal care products, food, and cosmetics [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are becoming, among others, one of the most-used engineered nanomaterials as a result of their properties, mainly their antibacterial properties, in consumer products, including textiles, disinfectants and filtration membranes where the particles can be found in both solid or liquid (coating and spray) state [ 5 ].…”

Nanoclay Effect into the Biodegradation and Processability of Poly(lactic acid) Nanocomposites for Food Packaging

“…These nanocomposites have been found materials with improved barrier character against water vapor and oxygen transmission depending on the kind of nanoreinforcement added to the matrix [ 33 , 34 ]. In this sense, the best results have been obtained for composites based on starch reinforced with polar nanoclays [ 35 ] or even another kind of nanostructured reinforcement, such as nanofibrillated cellulose [ 36 ], where the incorporation of 0.36 wt% of this natural reinforcement to plasticized starch produced a decrease in water vapor transmission rate by 56% and 46% in the case of oxygen permeability.…”