Nanostructured gold dispersed polyethylmethaacrylate/dextran hybrid composites for packaging applications

ABSTRACT

Herein, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)/dextran(D) hybrid composites are prepared by reinforcement of various concentrations of in situ reduced gold nanoparticles (Au NPs). As-synthesised PMMA/D-Au nanocomposites are characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction(XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy(FESEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy(HRTEM) and atomic force microscopy(AFM). It is found that, the average size of Au NPs is 30 nm. The size distributions of Au NPs are studied from dynamics light scattering studies (DLS). The incorporation of Au NPs enhances the oxygen barrier, thermal, and antimicrobial properties of the PMMA/D matrix, by which, the hybrid composites are suitable for packaging applications.

Graphical abstract

KEYWORDS:

• Gold NPs
• DLS
• oxygen barrier
• packaging

Acknowledgments

K. Prusty earnestly acknowledged Department of Science and Technology, Government of India for awarding Inspire Fellowship to pursue doctoral degree.

Conflict of interests

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this manuscript.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kalyani Prusty

Kalyani Prusty is a Ph.D student working under direct supervision of Prof. Sarat K. Swain. She has been awarded DST Inspired Fellowship from Department of Science and Technology, Government of India to carry out her doctoral program in the Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology, Burla, and Sambalpur, India, after completion of her master degree from same university. She is working in the area of nanohydrogels and other hybrid materials for different biomedical applications. She has published seven papers in SCI journals and six chapters in different edited books along with one patent.

Sarat K Swain

Sarat K Swain is a Professor of Chemistry in the Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology, Burla, and Sambalpur, India. His area of research is hybrid materials, nanomaterials, nanocomposites, nanohydrogels and biomaterials. He has published more than 100 research paper in different SCI/SCOPUS indexed journals of repute along with one USA and one Indian patents of his credit. Prof. Swain is an editor of two books and authors of 30 book chapters in different books, multi-volumes and encyclopedia. He was a post-doctoral fellow from the Department of Polymer Engineering, University Akron USA, after completion his Ph.D degree from the Utkal University Bhubaneswar, India. He is working as Dean (Post-graduate studied & Research) of the same university, in addition to his normal responsibilities of teaching and research. He has been awarded Samanta Chandra Sekhar Award from Department of Science and Technology, Government of Odisha, India, along with other national and international awards.