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Nanomaterials
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The Potential of Nanocomposites in the Packaging Field
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The Potential of Nanocomposites in the Packaging Field

A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Nanocomposite Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (7 July 2021) | Viewed by 12124

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Luciano Di Maio

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
Interests: polymer processing and characterization; polymeric nanocomposites; polymeric films for food packaging; multilayers films
Prof. Dr. Loredana Incarnato

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
Interests: innovative and sustainable packaging solutions based on biopolymers; recycled polymers; active polymeric systems for food-packaging applications and nanotechnologies
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

in recent years we are witnessing a deep evolution of food packaging materials and technologies, in response to the increasingly complex needs of the markets, of the distribution and of consumers. Packaging systems have therefore become increasingly sophisticated, adding new features that can be achieved thanks to the rapid evolution of new materials. In particular, the development of nanostructured materials and nanotechnologies has made it possible to implement and accelerate innovation in the field of food packaging. Actually, several applications of nanomaterials in packaging and food safety have been studied and developed including for instance polymer/clay nanocomposites as high barrier packaging materials, silver nanoparticles as potent antimicrobial agents, nanosensors and nanomaterial-based assays for the detection of food contaminants or control the packaging conditions integrity.

Furthermore, the increasing use of nanoparticle-based materials is bringing many concerns for the possible effects of their contact with food.

Thus, the above mentioned issues strongly need to be further investigated in order to exploit the several potentialities of nanotechnology which can not only enable safe and effective distribution and preservation of foods but can also facilitate their end-use suitability and sustainability both at producer and the consumer levels.

Papers aimed to cover current and future trends in experimental and/or computational (e.g., properties modeling and shelf life prediction of foods) studies, on the actual use and perspectives of nanocomposites materials in the field of Food Packaging will be very welcome.

Prof. Dr. Luciano Di Maio
Prof. Dr. Loredana Incarnato
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nanomaterials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • food packaging
  • polymeric films
  • nanocomposites
  • multilayers systems
  • biopolimers
  • bionanocomposites
  • nanoparticles
  • barrier properties
  • active packaging
  • transport properties
  • mechanical properties
  • thermal properties
  • antimicrobial packaging
  • antibacterial activity
  • food contact
  • food safety
  • migration
  • risk assessment
  • nanotoxicology
  • nanobiosensors

Published Papers (4 papers)

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20 pages, 4375 KiB  
Article
Nanosilicates in Compatibilized Mixed Recycled Polyolefins: Rheological Behavior and Film Production in a Circular Approach
by Emilia Garofalo, Luciano Di Maio, Paola Scarfato, Annalisa Apicella, Antonio Protopapa and Loredana Incarnato
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(8), 2128; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano11082128 - 20 Aug 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1824
Abstract
Currently, plastic packaging represents a global challenge and has become a key point of attention for governments, media and consumers due to the visibility of the waste it generates. Despite their high resource efficiency, the perceived non-recyclability of polymeric films risks precluding them [...] Read more.
Currently, plastic packaging represents a global challenge and has become a key point of attention for governments, media and consumers due to the visibility of the waste it generates. Despite their high resource efficiency, the perceived non-recyclability of polymeric films risks precluding them from being a relevant packaging solution in a circular economy approach. In this regard, the aim of this study was to implement a strategy to try closing the loop, via the mechanical recycling of post-consumer flexible packaging of small size (denoted as Fil-s) to obtain new films. In particular, two lots of Fil-s were used, which are PE/PP blends differing for the PP content and the presence of polar contaminants. The suitability for film blowing extrusion of these recycled materials, as such and after the addition of a compatibilizer and/or a lamellar nanosilicate, was evaluated. It was first evidenced that the difficulty of producing blown films with the pristine recycled materials, due to the frequent bubble breakages, occurring even at low draw ratios. Moreover, the shear and extensional rheological behavior of all Fil-s based systems was usefully correlated with their processability features, evidencing the key roles of the nanofiller to stabilize the bubble and of the compatibilizer to ensure a uniform film deformation, avoiding its premature breakage. Even if the adopted upgrading strategies allowed the production of blown films with both types of Fil-s, the different components of the recycled matrices were proven to significantly affect their processability and final film performances. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Potential of Nanocomposites in the Packaging Field)
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13 pages, 3649 KiB  
Article
Cellulose Nanofiber-Based Nanocomposite Films Reinforced with Zinc Oxide Nanorods and Grapefruit Seed Extract
by Swarup Roy, Hyun Chan Kim, Pooja S. Panicker, Jong-Whan Rhim and Jaehwan Kim
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(4), 877; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano11040877 - 30 Mar 2021
Cited by 58 | Viewed by 4422
Abstract
Here, we report the fabrication and characterization of cellulose nanofiber (CNF)-based nanocomposite films reinforced with zinc oxide nanorods (ZnOs) and grapefruit seed extract (GSE). The CNF is isolated via a combination of chemical and physical methods, and the ZnO is prepared using a [...] Read more.
Here, we report the fabrication and characterization of cellulose nanofiber (CNF)-based nanocomposite films reinforced with zinc oxide nanorods (ZnOs) and grapefruit seed extract (GSE). The CNF is isolated via a combination of chemical and physical methods, and the ZnO is prepared using a simple precipitation method. The ZnO and GSE are used as functional nanofillers to produce a CNF/ZnO/GSE film. Physical (morphology, chemical interactions, optical, mechanical, thermal stability, etc.) and functional (antimicrobial and antioxidant activities) film properties are tested. The incorporation of ZnO and GSE does not impact the crystalline structure, mechanical properties, or thermal stability of the CNF film. Nanocomposite films are highly transparent with improved ultraviolet blocking and vapor barrier properties. Moreover, the films exhibit effective antimicrobial and antioxidant actions. CNF/ZnO/GSE nanocomposite films with better quality and superior functional properties have many possibilities for active food packaging use. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Potential of Nanocomposites in the Packaging Field)
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15 pages, 3600 KiB  
Article
Improving Interaction at Polymer–Filler Interface: The Efficacy of Wrinkle Texture
by Pietro Russo, Virginia Venezia, Fabiana Tescione, Joshua Avossa, Giuseppina Luciani, Brigida Silvestri and Aniello Costantini
Nanomaterials 2020, 10(2), 208; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano10020208 - 25 Jan 2020
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2404
Abstract
One of the main issues in preparing polymer-based nanocomposites with effective properties is to achieve a good dispersion of the nanoparticles into the matrix. Chemical interfacial modifications by specific coupling agents represents a good way to reach this objective. Actually, time consuming compatibilization [...] Read more.
One of the main issues in preparing polymer-based nanocomposites with effective properties is to achieve a good dispersion of the nanoparticles into the matrix. Chemical interfacial modifications by specific coupling agents represents a good way to reach this objective. Actually, time consuming compatibilization procedures strongly compromise the sustainability of these strategies. In this study, the role of particles’ architectures in their dispersion into a poly-lactic acid matrix and their subsequent influences on physical-chemical properties of the obtained nanocomposites were investigated. Two kinds of silica nanoparticles, “smooth” and “wrinkled,” with different surface areas (≈30 and ≈600 m2/g respectively) were synthesized through a modified Stöber method and used, without any chemical surface pre-treatments, as fillers to produce poly-lactic acid based nanocomposites. The key role played by wrinkled texture in modifying the physical interaction at the polymer-filler interface and in driving composite properties, was investigated and reflected in the final bulk properties. Detailed investigations revealed the presence of wrinkled nanoparticles, leading to (i) an enormous increase of the chain relaxation time, by almost 30 times compared to the neat PLA matrix; (ii) intensification of the shear-thinning behavior at low shear-rates; and (iii) slightly slower thermal degradation of polylactic acid. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Potential of Nanocomposites in the Packaging Field)
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10 pages, 1871 KiB  
Article
PET and Active Coating Based on a LDH Nanofiller Hosting p-Hydroxybenzoate and Food-Grade Zeolites: Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity of Packaging and Shelf Life of Red Meat
by Valeria Bugatti, Luigi Vertuccio, Federica Zuppardi, Vittoria Vittoria and Giuliana Gorrasi
Nanomaterials 2019, 9(12), 1727; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano9121727 - 03 Dec 2019
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2715
Abstract
Layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanofillers were considered as hosts of p-hydroxybenzoate as an antimicrobial molecule for active coating. A food grade resin with LDH-p-hydroxybenzoate and two different types of food grade zeolites was used to prepare active coatings for Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) trays. [...] Read more.
Layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanofillers were considered as hosts of p-hydroxybenzoate as an antimicrobial molecule for active coating. A food grade resin with LDH-p-hydroxybenzoate and two different types of food grade zeolites was used to prepare active coatings for Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) trays. The release kinetics of the active molecule were followed using UV spectrophotometry and the experimental results were analyzed with the Gallagher–Corrigan model. The thermal properties of the coating mixtures and the PET coating were analyzed and found to be dependent on the coating’s composition. On the basis of CO2 transmission rate and off-odors tests, the best coating composition was selected. Global migration in ethanol (10% v/v), acetic acid (3% w/v), and vegetable oil, and specific migration of p-hydroxybenzoic acid revealed the suitability of the material for food contact. Antimicrobial tests on the packaging demonstrated a good inhibition against Salmonella spp. and Campylobacter jejuni. Red meat was packed into the selected active materials and results were compared to uncoated PET packaging. Color tests (browning of the meat) and analysis of Enterobacteriaceae spp. and total viable count evolution up to 10 days of storage demonstrated the capability of the considered active packaging in prolonging the shelf life of red meat. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Potential of Nanocomposites in the Packaging Field)
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