CLAY-STARCH NANOCOMPOSITE COATINGS ON PAPER SUBSTRATE - A PROMISING FRONTIER IN ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY PACKAGING MATERIAL

Abstract

The growing concern for environmental sustainability has created an urgent need for the development of innovative and environmentally friendly packaging materials. Among the various options available, clay-starch nanocomposites have emerged as a promising avenue for improving the barrier properties and mechanical strength of paper substrates. In this scientific paper the importance of clay-starch nanocomposite coatings on paper substrate and highlight the role of computer simulations, especially molecular dynamics, in elucidating their structural and functional properties. It has been shown that phyllosilicates with a layer charge < 0.4 electrons per stoichiometric unit can intercalate starch in the interlayer space, forming a barrier for water vapor in the covering layer. Phyllosilicates with a shell charge of >0.4 electrons per stoichiometric unit were not able to intercalate starch. Thus, clay-starchnanocomposites can provide limited water vapor transfer rates and can be recommended asa promising material for dry food packaging.