Nanocellulose-based optical and radio frequency transparent barrier coating for food packaging

Abstract

The escalating environmental challenges posed by petroleum-derived plastics have underscored the urgent need for sustainable and biodegradable alternatives, particularly in the realm of food packaging materials. This study addresses this pressing issue by introducing a novel approach to developing eco-friendly food packaging materials through the application of dialdehyde-modified cellulose (DAC) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) coating. This environmentally conscious method involves coating a polylactic acid (PLA) film, a readily available and biodegradable substrate, with an aqueous solution of DAC and PVA. The resultant a-PLA/h-DAC1-PVA0.5 films exhibit exceptional gas barrier properties, attributed to effective crosslinking between DAC and PVA, surpassing the performance of both conventional PLA films and aluminum oxide-deposited PLA counterparts. Furthermore, these films offer optical and electromagnetic transparency, essential for monitoring food freshness and enabling QR code and RFID recognition. Importantly, extensive biodegradability assessments reveal that our films, primarily composed of PLA with a cellulose-based coating layer, align with established PLA degradation kinetics. Notably, these films demonstrate non-cytotoxicity, affirming their suitability for widespread use. This innovative approach presents a promising solution for the development of sustainable, biodegradable, and highly transparent food packaging materials, contributing significantly to plastic waste reduction and environmental preservation within the food industry.