Innovative PBAT/PU/MMT@ZnO-NPs bionanocomposite films based on modified montmorillonite for active food packaging

Abstract

Egypt’s plastic garbage problem is becoming worse. The fabrication of biodegradable polymers is an inventive way to decline this pollution. The objective of the current work was to prepare the active packaging bionanocomposites films based on biodegradable poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate (PBAT), Polyurethane (PU) and organically modified layered silicates montmorillonite (MMT) containing Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) by different concentration (2.5%, 5%, 10%) to improve mechanical and antimicrobial properties of the created bionanocomposite films. Furthermore, the manufactured Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate(,Polyurethane, Montmorillonite, ZnO nanoparticles (PBAT/PU/MMT@ZnO-NPs) bionanocomposite films were assessed using FT-IR, TGA, XRD, SEM, TEM and mechanical properties. Moreover, the barrier properties including water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) in addition the oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of the achieved (PBAT/PU/MMT@ZnO-NPs) bionanocomposite films were evaluated. The fabricated bionanocomposite films demonstrated proper thermal stability. The results showed that adding modified MMT incorporating ZnO-NPs to the PBAT/PU matrix improved the mechanical characteristics, biodegradation, and antibacterial activity. For potential uses in food packaging, the current study provides extremely exciting opportunities for sustainable PBAT/PU-based renewable and antibacterial films.