TiO2 nanoparticles/poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) bionanocomposite films for packaging applications

In this present study, biodegradable PBAT nanocomposites containing different weight percentages (1, 3, 5, 7, and 10% w/w) of TiO2 nanoparticles were prepared by using solvent casting technique, chloroform as a solvent. The microstructure and morphology of the as-synthesized poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT)/TiO2 nanocomposite films were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscope. The thermal degradation of PBAT composites was studied by using thermogravimetric analysis. The mechanical strength of the films was improved by increasing TiO2 concentration. Tensile strength increased from 32.60 to 63.26MPa, respectively. Barrier properties of the PBAT/TiO2 nanocomposites were investigated by using an oxygen permeability tester. The oxygen permeability (oxygen transmission rate) decreased with increasing the TiO2 nanoparticle concentrations. The PBAT/TiO2 nanocomposite films showed profound antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative foodborne pathogenic bacteria, namely, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, to understand to the zone of inhibition. These results indicated that filler-polymer interaction is important and the role of the TiO2 as a reinforcement in the nanocomposites was evident. Copyright (c) 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.