Tannic acid as a crosslinking agent in poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) composite films enhanced with carbon nanoparticles: Processing, characterization, and antimicrobial activities for food packaging

• Published in: Journal of environmental chemical engineering 2023-08, Vol.11 (4), p.110194, Article 110194
• Main Authors: Venkatesan, Raja, Sivaprakash, P., Kim, Ikhyun, Eldesoky, Gaber E., Kim, Seong-Cheol
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antimicrobial activity; Composites; Mechanical strength; Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT); Porous carbon nanoparticles (CNPs); Tannic acid (TA)
• ISSN: 2213-3437; 2213-3437
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2023.110194

The disposal of plastics waste is currently a major environmental problem. Plastics are used frequently and in more variety in everyday life, which has an effect on the environment. As a result of the emissions of carbon dioxide caused by burning of non-biodegradable polymers like polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyvinyl chloride, there is a growing concern of a global warming. This article discusses the carbonization and activation of KOH to produce porous carbon nanoparticles (CNPs). The solution casting method was used to produced composites of poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate (PBAT) with CNPs and tannic acid (TA). PBAT composites employing CNPs as reinforcement and TA as a cross-linker. TA and CNPs have been taken into account in investigating the morphological and antimicrobial activities of PBAT-based composites. The mechanical strength of PBAT/TA/CNPs composites increased as a result to the strengthening characteristics of CNPs. The thermal characterization of PBAT/TA/CNPs composites was improved with TA and CNPs, based on thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Contact angle measurements show that after reinforcement, PBAT/TA/CNPs composites became hydrophobic. In PBAT/TA/CNPs composites, the oxygen transmission rate (OTR) and water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) are reduced. The PBAT/TA/CNPs composites showed greater antimicrobial activity against the food-borne pathogenic microorganisms E. coli and S. aureus. Also, the results of food quality tests that PBAT/TA/CNPs composites used to have an improved shelf life for sliced carrot than control, commercial and PBAT film extending it from 1 to 12 days. The results indicated that PBAT/TA/CNPs composites would be suitable choices for materials to be used in food packaging. [Display omitted] •For food packaging, a biodegradable PBAT composites has been developed.•Porous carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) and tannic acid (TA) are used to strengthen the PBAT composites.•The PBAT/TA/CNPs composites shown good mechanical and barrier properties.•PBAT/TA/CNPs composites exhibited antimicrobial effect against S. aureus and E. coli.•Composite films of PBAT, TA and CNPs that could be used for food packaging.