Sustainable nanocomposite films based on SiO₂ and biodegradable poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBH) for food packaging

Abstract

Sustainable nanocomposites with transparent, biodegradable, and enhanced mechanical and barrier properties were prepared by the incorporation of SiO2 into poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBH) films and subsequent solvent casting. The crystallinity of composites could be increased by 67% with appropriate contents of SiO2, which proved that SiO2 were effective nucleating agents for PHBH. And it was worth mentioning that the contributions of SiO2 to the crystallization and thermal stability of composites are proved effectively by Avrami relationship and Horowitz and Metzger method. More importantly, compared with PHBH, it had not only an enhancement about 40% and 60% on the tensile strength and elastic modulus, respectively, but also half the reduction of the moisture and oxygen permeability which were much higher than the values of conventional plastics. The above, in conjunction with the low migration rate measured in food substitutes, illustrated unambiguously that the nanocomposites might be suitable for potential application in food packaging.

Surface and mechanical characterization of bionanocomposites for advanced applications: A review

“…It was found that the bare PHBH showed a rough structure with holes (Figure 8(a)). 22 After the addition of different amounts of SiO 2 into PHBH matrix, homogeneous dispersion was observed, even though, a higher amount of SiO 2 content increased the aggregation owing to the high surface polarity of SiO 2 (Figure 8(f)), leading to less homogenous film formation.…”

“…Cross-section of (a) PHBH, (b) 0.5-SiO2/P, (c) 1-SiO2/P, (d) 1.5-SiO2/P, (e) 2-SiO2/P and (f) 2.5-SiO2/P taken by SEM. (Reprint from Ref 22. ).…”

A Review of the Applications and Biodegradation of Polyhydroxyalkanoates and Poly(lactic acid) and Its Composites

“…Various combination of co-polymer will produce biopolymer with various physical properties. For example, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate [P(HB-co-HHx)] is extensively ameliorate for food packaging [61][62][63], consumables, medical devices and tissue engineering due to its mechanical properties, excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability [64][65][66]. PHB has similar physical properties as polypropylene, however, it is brittle and lack of toughness.…”

High Barrier, Biodegradable Nanocomposite Films Based on Clay‐Coated and Chemically Modified Gum Kondagogu

“…[5] As a result, researchers are looking for a bio-sourced, biodegradable material that can replace traditional plastics in single-use applications. [6][7][8][9] Bio-sourced polysaccharides, which are one of the most available raw materials in nature, have sparked a lot of interest in replacing single-use plastics. Their abundant availability, combined with their biodegradability, nontoxicity, and biocompatibility, can solve the aforementioned issue.…”

“…[ 5 ] As a result, researchers are looking for a bio‐sourced, biodegradable material that can replace traditional plastics in single‐use applications. [ 6–9 ]…”