Preparation and investigation of Ag nanoparticles/TOPAS nanocomposite films for packaging applications

Background: Silver nanoparticles find enormous applications in medicine, anti-bacterial coatings, paints, textiles and packaging industry. Synthesis of such nanoparticles through green approach provides the additional advantage of being non-toxic. Methods: In the present pursuit, we have synthesized silver nanoparticles by using leaves extract of Eugenia reinwardtiana. Such nanoparticles were further used to prepare nanocomposites with TO-PAS to explore their potential for food packaging applications. Nanoparticles, as well as nanocomposites, were characterized using Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-Vis spectroscopy, tensile testing, water vapor permeability test and antimicrobial testing. Results: Mechanical testing, antimicrobial testing and water vapor permeability tests were carried out to probe into the properties of nanocomposites films essential for packaging applications. Water vapor permeability was found to decrease with increasing content of silver nanoparticles. Mechanical properties of the nanocomposite films demonstrated considerable increment with the addition of silver nanoparticles. Such nanocomposite films showed enhanced antimicrobial behavior as compared to pure TOPAS film. Conclusions: The results indicated the potential of nanocomposites films to be used in the food packaging applications.