95
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
T. J. Gutiérrez (ed.), Reactive and Functional Polymers Volume One,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-43403-8_6
Chapter 6
Functional Biobased Composite Polymers
for Food Packaging Applications
Hulya Cakmak and Ece Sogut
Abstract Biobased polymers are of great interest due to the release of tension on
non-renewable petroleum-based polymers for environmental concerns. However,
biobased polymers usually have poor mechanical and barrier properties when used
as the main component of coatings and films, but they can be improved by adding
nanoscale reinforcing agents (nanoparticles - NPs or fillers), thus forming nanocomposites. The nano-sized components have a larger surface area that favors the
filler-matrix interactions and the resulting material yield. For example, natural fibers
from renewable plants could be used to improve the mechanical strength of the
biobased composites. In addition to the mechanical properties, the optical, thermal
and barrier properties are mainly effective on the selection of type or the ratio of
biobased components. Biobased nanocomposites are one of the best alternatives to
conventional polymer composites due to their low density, transparency, better surface properties and biodegradability, even with low filler contents. In addition, these
biomaterials are also incorporated into composite films as nano-sized bio-fillers for
the reinforcement or as carriers of some bioactive compounds. Therefore, nanostructures may provide antimicrobial properties, oxygen scavenging ability, enzyme
immobilization or act as a temperature or oxygen sensor. The promising result of
biobased functional polymer nanocomposites is shelf life extension of foods, and
continuous improvements will face the future challenges. This chapter will focus on
biobased materials used in nanocomposite polymers with their functional properties
for food packaging applications.
Keywords Montmorillonite · Nanocellulose · Nanocomposite · Nanoparticles ·
Nanoreinforcement
H. Cakmak (*)
Department of Food Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hitit University, Corum, Turkey
e-mail: hulyacakmak@hitit.edu.tr
E. Sogut
Department of Food Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Suleyman Demirel University,
Isparta, Turkey
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
T. J. Gutiérrez (ed.), Reactive and Functional Polymers Volume One,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-43403-8_6
Chapter 6
Functional Biobased Composite Polymers
for Food Packaging Applications
Hulya Cakmak and Ece Sogut
Abstract Biobased polymers are of great interest due to the release of tension on
non-renewable petroleum-based polymers for environmental concerns. However,
biobased polymers usually have poor mechanical and barrier properties when used
as the main component of coatings and films, but they can be improved by adding
nanoscale reinforcing agents (nanoparticles - NPs or fillers), thus forming nanocomposites. The nano-sized components have a larger surface area that favors the
filler-matrix interactions and the resulting material yield. For example, natural fibers
from renewable plants could be used to improve the mechanical strength of the
biobased composites. In addition to the mechanical properties, the optical, thermal
and barrier properties are mainly effective on the selection of type or the ratio of
biobased components. Biobased nanocomposites are one of the best alternatives to
conventional polymer composites due to their low density, transparency, better surface properties and biodegradability, even with low filler contents. In addition, these
biomaterials are also incorporated into composite films as nano-sized bio-fillers for
the reinforcement or as carriers of some bioactive compounds. Therefore, nanostructures may provide antimicrobial properties, oxygen scavenging ability, enzyme
immobilization or act as a temperature or oxygen sensor. The promising result of
biobased functional polymer nanocomposites is shelf life extension of foods, and
continuous improvements will face the future challenges. This chapter will focus on
biobased materials used in nanocomposite polymers with their functional properties
for food packaging applications.
Keywords Montmorillonite · Nanocellulose · Nanocomposite · Nanoparticles ·
Nanoreinforcement
H. Cakmak (*)
Department of Food Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hitit University, Corum, Turkey
e-mail: hulyacakmak@hitit.edu.tr
E. Sogut
Department of Food Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Suleyman Demirel University,
Isparta, Turkey