Antimicrobial, mechanical, barrier, and thermal properties of bio‐based poly (butylene adipate‐<i>co</i>‐terephthalate) (<scp>PBAT</scp>)/<scp>Ag</scp>₂<scp>O</scp> nanocomposite films for packaging application

Abstract

Bio‐based nanocomposites of poly (butylene adipate‐ co ‐terephthalate) (PBAT)/silver oxide (Ag 2 O) were prepared by the composite film casting method using chloroform as the solvent. The prepared Ag 2 O at different ratios (1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 wt%) is incorporated in the PBAT. The PBAT nanocomposite films were subjected to structural, thermal, mechanical, barrier, and antimicrobial properties. The electron micrographs indicated uniform distribution of Ag 2 O in the PBAT matrix. However, the images indicated agglomeration of Ag 2 O particles at 10 wt% loading. The thermal stability of the nanocomposite films increased with Ag 2 O content. The tensile strength and elongation of the composite films were found to be higher than those of PBAT and increased with Ag 2 O content up to 7 wt%. The PBAT‐based nanocomposite films showed the lower oxygen and water vapor permeability when compared to the PBAT film. Antimicrobial studies were performed against two food pathogenic bacteria, namely, Klebsiella pneumonia and Staphylococcus aureus .