5
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
T. J. Gutiérrez (ed.), Reactive and Functional Polymers Volume Three,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-50457-1_2
Chapter 2
Active Packaging Films Based
on Polyolefins Modified by Organic
and Inorganic Nanoparticles
Yanela N. Alonso, Ana L. Grafia, Luciana A. Castillo, and Silvia E. Barbosa
Abstract Nowadays, the use of polymer films for flexible packaging has gained a
widespread importance because of their easy processing, good final properties, light
weight and low relative cost. In order to fulfill the needs of increasingly demanding
consumers with respect to the quality of packaged products, additional capabilities
must be incorporated into packaging. In this sense, academic and industrial efforts
have focused on new technologies that provide a complementary functionality to
the packaging performance. These emerging developments involve active and intelligent packaging, which can attract to consumers, improve product quality and/or
balance any detrimental effect. In this context, the use of nanoparticle (NP)-modified
polyolefins, either in bulk (nanocomposites) or on the surface, allows the inclusion
of specific functionalities. These new capabilities enable obtaining active packaging
according to the requirements of the product. The aim of this chapter was to analyze
the aforementioned approaches for the development of active films by incorporating
antibacterial, antifungal and/or repellent functionalities. Currently, several sustainable developments of this type of active films are based on commodity thermoplastics such as poly(ethylene) and poly(propylene). These materials, modified by the
incorporation of organic and inorganic NPs, are promising candidates, since their
final properties can be tailored for packaging application.
Keywords Active films · Antimicrobial activity · Food packaging
Nanocomposites · Polyolefin surface modification
Y. N. Alonso · A. L. Grafia · L. A. Castillo · S. E. Barbosa (*)
Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
PLAPIQUI (UNS-CONICET), Bahía Blanca, Argentina
e-mail: sbarbosa@plapiqui.edu.ar
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
T. J. Gutiérrez (ed.), Reactive and Functional Polymers Volume Three,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-50457-1_2
Chapter 2
Active Packaging Films Based
on Polyolefins Modified by Organic
and Inorganic Nanoparticles
Yanela N. Alonso, Ana L. Grafia, Luciana A. Castillo, and Silvia E. Barbosa
Abstract Nowadays, the use of polymer films for flexible packaging has gained a
widespread importance because of their easy processing, good final properties, light
weight and low relative cost. In order to fulfill the needs of increasingly demanding
consumers with respect to the quality of packaged products, additional capabilities
must be incorporated into packaging. In this sense, academic and industrial efforts
have focused on new technologies that provide a complementary functionality to
the packaging performance. These emerging developments involve active and intelligent packaging, which can attract to consumers, improve product quality and/or
balance any detrimental effect. In this context, the use of nanoparticle (NP)-modified
polyolefins, either in bulk (nanocomposites) or on the surface, allows the inclusion
of specific functionalities. These new capabilities enable obtaining active packaging
according to the requirements of the product. The aim of this chapter was to analyze
the aforementioned approaches for the development of active films by incorporating
antibacterial, antifungal and/or repellent functionalities. Currently, several sustainable developments of this type of active films are based on commodity thermoplastics such as poly(ethylene) and poly(propylene). These materials, modified by the
incorporation of organic and inorganic NPs, are promising candidates, since their
final properties can be tailored for packaging application.
Keywords Active films · Antimicrobial activity · Food packaging
Nanocomposites · Polyolefin surface modification
Y. N. Alonso · A. L. Grafia · L. A. Castillo · S. E. Barbosa (*)
Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
PLAPIQUI (UNS-CONICET), Bahía Blanca, Argentina
e-mail: sbarbosa@plapiqui.edu.ar