Thermoplastic Starch Composites Reinforced with Functionalized POSS: Fabrication, Characterization, and Evolution of Mechanical, Thermal and Biological Activities

Abstract

Rapid advancements in materials that offer the appropriate mechanical strength, barrier, and antimicrobial activity for food packaging are still confronted with significant challenges. In this study, a modest, environmentally friendly method was used to synthesize functionalized octakis(3-chloropropyl)octasilsesquioxane [fn-POSS] nanofiller. Composite films compared to the neat thermoplastic starch (TS) film, show improved thermal and mechanical properties. Tensile strength results improved from 7.8 MPa to 28.1 MPa (TS + 5.0 wt.% fn-POSS) with fn-POSS loading (neat TS). The barrier characteristics of TS/fn-POSS composites were increased by fn-POSS by offering penetrant molecules with a twisting pathway. Also, the rates of O2 and H2O transmission were decreased by 50.0 cc/m2/day and 48.1 g/m2/day in TS/fn-POSS composites. Based on an examination of its antimicrobial activity, the fn-POSS blended TS (TSP-5.0) film exhibits a favorable zone of inhibition against the bacterial pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The TS/fn-POSS (TSP-5.0) film lost 78.4% of its weight after 28 days in natural soil. New plastic materials used for packaging, especially food packaging, are typically not biodegradable, so the TS composite with 5.0 wt.% fn-POSS is therefore of definite interest. The incorporation of fn-POSS with TS composites can improve their characteristics, boost the use of nanoparticles in food packaging, and promote studies on biodegradable composites.

Morphological, Mechanical, and Antimicrobial Properties of PBAT/Poly(methyl methacrylate-co-maleic anhydride)–SiO2 Composite Films for Food Packaging Applications

“…E. coli was negatively charged and had less surface area than S. aureus . Furthermore, based on the observations, the PBMS-3 composite film exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and E. coli than the other films [ 60 ].…”

Preparation and Performance of Biodegradable Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) Composites Reinforced with Novel AgSnO2 Microparticles for Application in Food Packaging

“…Prior to use, the PBAT pellets were dried in an oven for 24 h at 60 °C. The PBAT composites are prepared using the solution mixing and drop-casting method [ 34 , 35 ]. After dissolving 2.0 g of PBAT in chloroform, the estimated amount of AgSnO 2 was added.…”

“…After 12 h, the stirred solutions were cast onto a glass plate and sonicated for 30 min to produce PBAT/AgSnO 2 (ACP) composites. The antimicrobial properties of the solvent were evaluated by allowing an additional 24 h to dry at room temperature [ 35 ]. ACP-0.0, ACP-0.5, ACP-1.0, ACP-2.0, ACP-3.0, and ACP-5.0, respectively, are abbreviations for PBAT and PBAT/AgSnO 2 composite film of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 5.0 weight %.…”

Poly(lactic acid) films reinforced with hybrid zinc oxide‐polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane nanoparticles: Morphological, mechanical, and antibacterial properties

“…Because of its hydrophobicity, POSS significantly increased the antibacterial activity of the nanofiber membranes. Venkatesan et al 29 added functionalized POSS nanoparticles to thermoplastic starch. Their results demonstrated that incorporating functionalized POOS enhanced the antimicrobial action of the thermoplastic starch against S. aureus and E. coli bacteria.…”

“…Because of its hydrophobicity, POSS significantly increased the antibacterial activity of the nanofiber membranes. Venkatesan et al 29 As POSS content increased, the antibacterial capabilities of modified PP fibers improved. Moreover, Wang et al 32 observed that the PLA matrix was reinforced by the addition of 7.5 wt% of trisilanolisobutyl-POSS.…”