Thermal and Morphological Analysis of Linear Low-Density Polyethylene Composites Containing <span style="font-variant: small-caps">d</span>-limonene/β-cyclodextrin for Active Food Packaging
Monika Dobrzyńska-Mizera,
Monika Knitter,
Marlena Piss,
Cristina Del Barone,
Salvatore Mallardo,
Gabriella Santagata,
Maria Laura Di Lorenzo
Affiliations
Monika Dobrzyńska-Mizera
Institute of Materials Technology, Polymer Division, Poznan University of Technology, Piotrowo 3, 61-138 Poznan, Poland
Monika Knitter
Institute of Materials Technology, Polymer Division, Poznan University of Technology, Piotrowo 3, 61-138 Poznan, Poland
Marlena Piss
Institute of Materials Technology, Polymer Division, Poznan University of Technology, Piotrowo 3, 61-138 Poznan, Poland
Cristina Del Barone
National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials (IPCB), c/o Comprensorio Olivetti, via Campi Flegrei, 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, NA, Italy
Salvatore Mallardo
National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials (IPCB), c/o Comprensorio Olivetti, via Campi Flegrei, 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, NA, Italy
Gabriella Santagata
National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials (IPCB), c/o Comprensorio Olivetti, via Campi Flegrei, 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, NA, Italy
Maria Laura Di Lorenzo
National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials (IPCB), c/o Comprensorio Olivetti, via Campi Flegrei, 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, NA, Italy
Composites made of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) and β-cyclodextrin/d-limonene inclusion complex (CD-lim) were prepared by melt extrusion to develop a novel food packaging material. Scanning electron microscopy evidenced a fairly good dispersion of the filler within the polymeric matrix. Infrared spectroscopy coupled with thermogravimetric analysis confirmed the presence of CD-lim in the composites, proving that the applied technology of including the essential oil within β-CD cages allows for preventing a sizable loss of d-limonene despite a high temperature and shear applied upon extrusion processing. Moreover, the influence of the filler on the thermal properties of PE was assessed. It was found that the cyclodextrin-based inclusion complex significantly fastens the crystallization path of the polyethylene matrix with an improved crystallization rate of the PE/CD-lim composites compared to the neat polymer.
