Development of a Polyethylene Breathable Packaging Film with Modified Microcrystalline Cellulose for Fresh Products

Abstract

In this study, a material based on polyethylene (PE) and microcrystalline cellulose (MC) was developed as a breathable packaging film. Surface functionalization of MC with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) has been shown to be an efficient option to tailor their properties and increase opportunities for the application of MC on the reinforcement of polymers such as polyethylene (PE). The functionalization of MC with the mentioned silane derivative was achieved using a green method and later used in the development of composites with PE in three percentages (1, 3, and 5%). All the materials were prepared by melt blending and characterized in terms of structural properties (ATR-FTIR and FTIR in transmittance mode, EDX, and SEM), thermal properties (DSC and TGA), thermomechanical properties (DMA), contact angle measurements and permeability to water vapor. The materials demonstrated the potential to be used as breathable film packaging for fresh products.

Keywords

• polyethylene composites
• microcrystalline cellulose
• food packaging
• surface functionalization