MgO/carboxymethyl chitosan nanocomposite improves thermal stability, waterproof and antibacterial performance for food packaging.

A novel nanocomposite film was fabricated by carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) and nano MgO for potential food packaging applications. The impregnation of MgO nanoparticles into CMCS was evidenced by the X-ray diffraction and FTIR spectroscopy. SEM micrographs revealed a dense layer of MgO formation in the CMCS matrix, which is a major contributor to the improvement of crystallinity. Compared with pure CMCS, CMCS/MgO composites confer improved thermal stability, better UV shielding performance, as well as water-insolubility, improving the feasibility of using CMCS-based biopolymer films as food packagings, especially in the case of water-rich food. These physical properties were further enhanced with the increase in MgO content. Furthermore, MgO nanoparticles can simultaneously provide CMCS with increased elasticity and ductility at a rather low filler content (1.0 % by weight). For biological properties, CMCS/MgO composites exhibited excellent antimicrobial activity against Listeria monocytogenes and Shewanella baltica.