Preparation and Characterization of Novel Food Packaging Materials Based on Biodegradable PCL/Ag-Kaolinite Nanocomposites with Controlled Release Properties

ABSTRACT

Food packaging materials based on biodegradable poly(ε-caprolactone)/Ag-Kaolinite nanocomposites with controlled release properties were successfully prepared via solvent casting method. X-Ray Diffraction, UV-visible Spectroscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy results revealed the formation of mixed intercalated-exfoliated structures with a random dispersion of spherical Ag nanoparticles. PCL/Ag-KT films have showed a significant improvement in their barrier and antibacterial properties. The potential of the silver ion release from the PCL/Ag-Kt films to an aqueous medium was measured by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. The results exhibited a gradual increase of the amount of silver ions released. The release’s mechanism was mainly governed by the diffusion process.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Active packaging
• antimicrobial activity
• biodegradable films
• poly (ε-caprolactone)
• silver-kaolinite
• silver release