Modeling process-structure-property and migration relationships in functionalized polyhydroxyalkanoate nanocomposites for packaging applications (R-10917)

Recent foodborne microbial outbreaks, trends towards minimal processed food and initiatives to increase circularity stress the need for sustainable active (food) packaging materials. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) show great potential, if they can improve in terms of processing and end-properties. The incorporation of inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) like zinc oxide (ZnO) is a valuable approach, but there is a lack of knowledge how the nanocomposite morphology, chemical structure and processing influence the dispersion quality and a series of relevant properties. Furthermore, data about potential migration mechanisms of ZnO NPs under different conditions are missing. To get new insights in the relationships between processing, end-functionalities and migration of ZnO/PHA nanocomposites, three nanocomposite dispersion models that simulate bulk melt-mixing, fiber network embedding and surface depositing, will be created. Innovative strategies such as modification of ZnO NPs, encapsulation of ZnO NP in hybrid nanocarriers and pre-incorporation of ZnO NP in centrifugally spun biopolymer fibers, will be used to obtain different dispersion states. The insights from this research will promote the PHA market on its way towards a more sustainable and biobased economy, and can be inspirational for functionalizing other NP/(bio)polymer systems.

Keywords:characterizing (packaging)materials

Disciplines:Particle reinforced materials, Destructive and non-destructive testing of materials, Functionalisation of materials, Materials processing