Preparation of ecofriendly UV-protective food packaging material by starch/TiO2 bio-nanocomposite: Characterization

In this study, ecofriendly starch/TiO2 bio-nanocomposites were produced using with different nano-TiO2 (TiO2) content (1,3, and 5 (wt%)). Physical, mechanical, thermal, water-vapor permeability (WVP) properties and UV transmittance were investigated. Our results showed that the increasing TiO2 content increased the hydrophobicity of starch/TiO2 films. WVP of the bio-nanocomposites was reduced, simultaneously. With increasing TiO2 content, tensile strength and Young's modulus of the film specimens were reduced while elongation at break and tensile energy to break were increased. The thermal properties of specimens showed that glass transition temperature of the films increased but melting point of the specimen films was decreased by increasing TiO2 content. Scanning electron microscopy observations demonstrated, the most of films' physical properties were in relation to their microstructures. The starch/TiO2 nanocomposites effectively protect goods against UV light, and could potentially be applied as UV-shielding packaging materials. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.