review · Polymer-Plastics Technology and Materials
Consumer interest in sustainable food packaging is driving the development of bio-based, biodegradable green composites. Packaging generally falls into two categories: functional materials that resist oxygen, moisture, and bacteria, and high-performance options that provide strong mechanical strength. Polylactic acid serves as a prominent base material in this field. Researchers have incorporated natural fibres into polylactic acid to enhance mechanical performance, while adding zinc oxide nanofillers to deliver functional properties. Despite these separate developments, packaging that combines both mechanical strength and protective barriers remains underdeveloped. Examining the individual roles of zinc oxide nanofillers and natural fibre reinforcements in polylactic acid matrices highlights an opportunity to unite both components. Future research is required to integrate natural fibres alongside zinc oxide nanofillers within a polylactic acid matrix to produce effective active and rigid packaging.
Conventional packaging relies heavily on non-degradable petroleum-based plastics that pose environmental hazards. Developing green composites based on polylactic acid offers a biodegradable alternative. Understanding how to enhance these materials with natural fibres for structural strength and zinc oxide for resistance against spoilage agents helps advance the design of practical, environmentally friendly containers for preserving food.
This work addresses active and rigid food packaging applications, which could ultimately serve food producers, retailers, and packaging manufacturers seeking biodegradable alternatives. However, the technology is at an early research stage, as the combination of natural fibres and zinc oxide nanofillers in a single polylactic acid matrix is identified as an unfulfilled gap requiring substantial future experimental investigation before commercial products can be formulated.
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The past few years have witnessed a significant surge in research focused on sustainable food packaging, driven by consumer ecological awareness. Food packaging can be categorized as functional, which requires resistance to oxygen, water, and bacteria, and high-performance, which demands strong mechanical properties. A notable trend in sustainable packaging has resulted in the emergence of green composites, due to their intrinsic bio-based and biodegradable nature. Among these green composites, there has been growing interest in utilizing poly (lactic acid) (PLA)-based composites for high-performance packaging, particularly through the incorporation of natural fibers as reinforcement. In parallel, the use of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanofillers in PLA-based composites has gained attention in the field of functional packaging. However, a noteworthy gap persists in the literature concerning packaging materials demanding both functional and mechanical properties, with combinations of natural fibers and ZnO-functionalizing fillers within the PLA matrix. This review intends to explore the effects of ZnO nanofillers in functional films, as well as the effectiveness of natural fibers as reinforcements in PLA matrices. This review also emphasizes the need for future research on integrating natural fibers and ZnO nanofillers in a PLA matrix for active and rigid packaging.
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DOI: 10.1080/25740881.2024.2350686
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