Development and characterization of active starch-based films incorporating graphene/polydopamine/Cu2+ nanocomposite fillers

With increasing environmental awareness and food safety concern worldwide, biodegradable active food packaging gained wide attention in recent years. Starch has been regarded as one of the most potential biomaterials to produce biodegradable films. However, relatively poor functional performance of starch-based films severely limits their application as food packaging materials. Carbon-based fillers can be used to enhance the functional attributes of starch-based films, but they are often difficult to incorporate because of their poor matrix dispersibility. In this study, we developed a simple green method to improve the dispersity of graphene in starch-based films by modifying the graphene surfaces using mussel-inspired polydopamine and copper ions. Spectroscopy and morphology analyses showed the surface of graphene was successfully modified. The addition of the nanocomposites positively influenced the microstructure of the starch-based films, as well as impacting their mechanical, barrier, and thermal properties. Additionally, the composite films exhibited antibacterial activity against food borne pathogens, suggesting promising potential of the films acting as active food packaging. Overall, the method developed in this study has the potential for optimizing and endowing extra properties of starch-based films so as to increase their application in biodegradable food packaging.

Nanocarbon-Based Flame Retardant Polymer Nanocomposites

In recent years, nanocarbon materials have attracted the interest of researchers due to their excellent properties. Nanocarbon-based flame retardant polymer composites have enhanced thermal stability and mechanical properties compared with traditional flame retardant composites. In this article, the unique structural features of nanocarbon-based materials and their use in flame retardant polymeric materials are initially introduced. Afterwards, the flame retardant mechanism of nanocarbon materials is described. The main discussions include material components such as graphene, carbon nanotubes, fullerene (in preparing resins), elastomers, plastics, foams, fabrics, and film-matrix materials. Furthermore, the flame retardant properties of carbon nanomaterials and their modified products are summarized. Carbon nanomaterials not only play the role of a flame retardant in composites, but also play an important role in many aspects such as mechanical reinforcement. Finally, the opportunities and challenges for future development of carbon nanomaterials in flame-retardant polymeric materials are briefly discussed.

Synergistic flame retardant properties of a layered double hydroxide in combination with zirconium phosphonate in polypropylene

High-performance flame retardant nanocomposites were prepared for polypropylene (PP).

Fabrication and characterization of in situ graphene oxide reinforced high-performance shape memory polymeric nanocomposites from vegetable oil

Polymeric nanocomposites have been fabricated via in situ cationic polymerization of linseed oil in the presence of surface-modified graphene oxide (SGO).

Functionalization of α-zirconium phosphate by polyphosphazene and its effect on the flame retardance of an intumescent flame retardant polypropylene system

α-ZrP was combined with polyphosphazene and formed a core–shell structure, which has a significant synergistic flame retardant performance in polypropylene.