Polymer-clay nanocomposites for food packaging

MARIO D. NINAGO; MARÍA CAROLINA GIAROLI; MARÍA GABRIELA PASSARETTI; MARCELO A. VILLAR; OLIVIA V. LÓPEZ

Nanostructured materials for food packaging applications

Elsevier

Lugar: Cambridge; Año: 2024; p. 189 - 213

In this chapter is an overview of synthetic and clay nanocomposites for food packaging, focusing on structural, thermo-mechanical, barrier, and optical properties. The novelty of this chapter lies in reviewing the most up-to-date bibliography related to the use of PNCs in food packaging. It highlights the need to modify clays when they are used as fillers for nonpolar matrices, the ability of using nanoclays as hosts for bioactive compounds, and the possibility of using nonbiodegradable synthetic matrices or biodegradable renewable polymers. The potential of PNCs for food packaging of both synthetic and natural origin, biodegradable or not, is supported by the large number of scientific works that are mentioned in this chapter, reporting very interesting developments and applications. Besides, future perspectives of the use of these nanocomposite materials in the food packaging industry are projected based on their diverse functionality and great potential.