Preparation and Performance of Biodegradable Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) Composites Reinforced with Novel AgSnO2 Microparticles for Application in Food Packaging

Abstract

Biodegradable composites with antimicrobial properties were prepared with microparticles of silver stannate (AgSnO2) and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) and tested for applications in food packaging. The PBAT matrix was synthesized and confirmed by 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Ultrasonic and coprecipitation methods were used to synthesize AgSnO2. A two-step mixing method and a solvent cast technique were utilized to fabricate the PBAT composites (different weight % of AgSnO2) for packaging foods. Attenuated total reflection-infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, XRD, and scanning electron microscopy were used to investigate the formation, structure, and size of the composites. Thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermal calorimetry were used to examine the PBAT/AgSnO2 composites. The best characteristics are exhibited in 5.0 wt. % AgSnO2 loaded PBAT composite. The tensile strength, elongation at break, water vapor transmission rate, and oxygen transmission rate were 22.82 MPa, 237.00%, 125.20 g/m2/day, and 1104.62 cc/m2/day.atm, respectively. Incorporating AgSnO2 enhanced the hydrophobicity of the PBAT materials as evaluated by the water contact angle. The 5.0 wt. % AgSnO2/PBAT film shows a favorable zone of inhibition against the bacteria pathogens S. aureus and E. coli, according to an evaluation of its antimicrobial activity. The weight loss of 5% AgSnO2/PBAT film was 78.4% after eight weeks in the natural soil environments. In addition, the results of food quality studies recommend that AgSnO2/PBAT (5.0 wt. %) film had a longer food shelf life than the neat PBAT and commercial, increasing it from one to 14 days for carrot vegetables.