Hydrophobic PBAT/SiO2 composite films for food packaging

SiO 2 was hydrophobically modified using vinyltrimethoxysilane (VTMO), then modified SiO 2 NPs were grafted onto poly(butylene adipate- co -terephthalate) (PBAT) matrix. The modified PBAT composite films were prepared by the solvent evaporation method. FTIR、EDX and XPS analyses were performed to study the chemical structure of the modified films. The hydrophobic surface morphology was studied by SEM. The UV-blocking properties of the films were studied by UV spectroscopy. The effects of the hydrophobically modified SiO 2 on the hydrophobicity, mechanical properties, barrier properties, and antibacterial adhesion properties of PBAT were investigated. Results showed that optimum performance was achieved when the SiO 2 content was 2%. The contact angle increased from 66° to 146°. The mechanical properties decreased slightly. The barrier properties were also improved. The inhibition rates for E. coli and S. aureus reached 99%. All the results proved that the modified PBAT-based films could be used as food packaging films.