Issue 15, 2024

Strengthening eco-friendly packaging from pectin by filling with poly(ε-caprolactone) nanoparticles and tailoring the degree of methyl-esterification

Abstract

In light of the environmental damage caused by conventional polymers and the challenge of making polysaccharides competitive in food packaging, there is a growing investment in the development of nanoparticles to enhance their physicochemical properties. Further advancing this concept, we have produced poly(ε-caprolactone) nanoparticles (PCLNPs) via solvent displacement and incorporated them into low- and high-methoxyl pectin films by solvent casting. The PCLNPs display a quasi-spherical morphology with a uniform size (ca. 300 nm), exhibiting excellent colloidal stability due to their hydrophobic PCL core and a hydrophilic Tween 80 surface. PCLNPs moderately improved the thermal stability (reaching ca. 250 °C) and preserved the water vapor barrier (<2 g mm k−1 Pa−1 h−1 m−2) of pectin-based films, while providing significant flexibility and achieving a 3.5-fold increase in tensile strength (75 MPa) compared to neat pectin films due to favorable matrix/filler compatibility. Therefore, our findings contribute to the avenue paved for nanocomposites based on polysaccharides to serve as alternatives to nonbiodegradable and/or nonrenewable packaging, reducing environmental impact.

Graphical abstract: Strengthening eco-friendly packaging from pectin by filling with poly(ε-caprolactone) nanoparticles and tailoring the degree of methyl-esterification

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
11 Jan 2024
Accepted
15 Jun 2024
First published
24 Jun 2024
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Mater. Adv., 2024,5, 6196-6204

Strengthening eco-friendly packaging from pectin by filling with poly(ε-caprolactone) nanoparticles and tailoring the degree of methyl-esterification

M. V. Lorevice, G. S. Baccarin, J. R. Souza, P. I. C. Claro, M. R. de Moura, C. G. Otoni and L. H. C. Mattoso, Mater. Adv., 2024, 5, 6196 DOI: 10.1039/D4MA00033A

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence. You can use material from this article in other publications without requesting further permissions from the RSC, provided that the correct acknowledgement is given.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements