Polymers for Medical Packaging

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA), a biobased and biodegradable plastic, has garnered substantial attention due to its environmental benefits. However, the inherent brittleness, limited functionality, challenges in balancing toughness strength during toughening processes restrict broader application. Recent studies have identified two-dimensional (2D) layered nanomaterials as promising reinforcing agents for improving properties of PLA-based nanocomposites. These materials, including graphene derivatives, MXenes, double hydroxides (LDHs), montmorillonite (MMT), metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), boron nitride (BN), offer unique characteristics such atomic-level thickness, high specific surface area, exceptional mechanical strength. This perspective provides comprehensive overview progress functionalizing PLA nanocomposites with 2D nanoscale fillers. Key preparation methods are discussed, focus on dispersibility materials their interfacial compatibility PLA. Strategies intercalation modifications enhance PLA's explored detail. The multifunctional imparted by fillerssuch improved thermal resist... Read More

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The new generation of food packaging should not only be biodegradable, but also provide additional protective properties for packaged products, extending their shelf life. In this paper, we present the results research on cast-extruded poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) films coated with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) modified CO2 extract from sea buckthorn (ES) or its ethosomes (ET) at amounts 1 5 pph per HPMC. addition, developed were exposed to accelerated aging (UV radiation and elevated temperature) determine effect films properties. Based SEM, it can concluded that in uncovering coatings bulk. GPC showed a decrease molecular weight PBS after treatment, additionally amplified by presence However, addition ES ET low concentrations reduced level polyester degradation. coating treatment increased oxygen barrier (a 324 cm3/m2 24 h neat 208 ET5). Despite colored coating, color differences compared imperceptible (E < 1). combination resulted complete inhibition growth E. coli S. aureus, which was observed non-aged samples. obtained demonstrate an improvement bioactive ... Read More

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Abstract For a sustainable future, the search for biodegradable materials to replace conventional petroleumbased polymers food packaging has received much attention because of need reduce plastic pollution in environment. Biopolymers are generally biodegradable, renewable, nontoxic, and easily available nature can be effective potential alternatives synthetic plastics. However, inherent limitations biopolymers terms poor mechanical barrier properties, as well inadequate thermal stability, have hindered their widespread adoption industry. With advent nanoscience, new avenues innovation novel with enhanced functional attributes been realized. Upon dispersion biopolymer matrix, inorganic or organic nanofillers, which possess certain physical chemical properties at nanoscale, make these composites useful materials; tailored mechanical, barrier, thermal, optical reported meet specific requirements preservation packaging. This review discusses effects reinforcement different types nanofillers on antimicrobial antioxidant biopolymeric matrices used applications. The importance standardiz... Read More

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Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic (PLGA) are FDA-approved, biodegradable polymers widely used in medical applications, especially controlled drug release systems surgical devices. To be able to predict control the degradation kinetics of such systems, it is essential study effect various parameters on rate. In this work, a review presented concerning hydrolytic PLA PLGA. The effects solvent dielectric constant, pH, lactate glycolate content, stereoisomers crystallinity, temperature, glass transition temperature (Tg), melting (Tm), monomer sequence PLGA copolymers, polymer molecular weight PLA/PLGA reviewed. vitro/in vivo correlation (IVIVC) limitations addressed. main purpose paper provide comprehensive results available literature offer clarification certain aspects that remain less well understood. particular, we aim insights into factors underlying varying sometimes contrasting findings reported relatively recent studies. We propose new explanation for accelerated core matricesinternal water-induced accelerationand discuss how perspective offers an alternat... Read More

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Biodegradable polyester resin composition, nonwoven fabric, and film with enhanced biodegradability, flexibility, strength, transparency, durability, and processability. The composition uses a diol component of 1,4-butanediol or derivative and a dicarboxylic acid component with a first dicarboxylic acid like terephthalic acid and a second dicarboxylic acid like adipic acid. Nanocellulose or bacterial cellulose can be added. The composition has biodegradability over 85% and can be prepared by esterification, polycondensation, and solid-phase polymerization.

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A bio-based citric acid-glycidyl ether-butyl ester plasticizer for polylactic acid (PLA) that provides improved plasticizing efficiency, migration resistance, and environmental compatibility compared to existing citrate ester plasticizers. The plasticizer is synthesized by reacting citric acid, n-butanol, and polyethylene glycol diglycidyl ether. It can be used to plasticize PLA at lower concentrations compared to other citrate esters, while avoiding phase separation. The plasticized PLA has better toughness, ductility, and processability. The citric acid-glycidyl ether-butyl ester plasticizer can also be used in implant materials, drug delivery systems, and tissue engineering scaffolds due to its biocompatibility.

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Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are naturally occurring polyesters with promising drug delivery applications. Their hydrophobicity enables lipophilic encapsulation, enhancing bioavailability but limiting colloidal stability and physiological compatibility. Surfactants crucially improve the nanoparticle dimensional stability, dispersion, wettability of hydrophobic matrices, cellular interaction, yet conventional surfactants require additional purification may pose risks. Self-surfactant systems offer a sustainable alternative. Therefore, this research proposes green chemical modification PHAs to develop self-surfactant systems. Hydrophilic groups were introduced onto poly-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate (PHBHHx) backbone via amidation using choline taurinate ([Ch][Tau]), biocompatible ionic liquid. This approach eliminates need for toxic reagents complex purification. By precisely controlling PHBHHx/[Ch][Tau] molar ratio, amphiphilic structures varying tail lengths produced, as confirmed by infrared spectroscopy chromatographic analysis. Nanoparticles fabricated through emulsion-... Read More

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The study examines the use of biodegradable plastics in packaging with examples polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) and starch-based blends as sustainable substitutes to traditional plastic materials. Their mechanical properties, barrier processability environmental effects are assessed by industrial scale processing tests life cycle analyses (LCA). Industry cooperation guarantees practice-relevant work content realizes challenges mass production implementation. Results indicate that, although polymers possess an interesting potential decrease pollution carbon footprint, additional optimization is needed achieve performance thresholds affordability establish their wide application. This research adds worthwhile products developing environmentally friendly solutions which feasible industrially based on concept sustainability. Keywords- polymers, packaging, acid, polyhydroxyalkanoates, assessment, processing, impact, alternatives

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Biodegradable biaxially oriented film with improved mechanical properties, flexibility, transparency, and noise reduction while maintaining biodegradability. The film has a multilayer structure with alternating layers of a polylactic acid (PLA) composition and a polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) composition. The PHA content in the outer layers and core is 20% or more. This composition balances biodegradability with properties like flexibility, noise reduction, and transparency. The multilayer structure with PHA layers improves biodegradability under mild conditions compared to single-layer PLA films.

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Extracting organic compounds from lignocellulosic biomass like coffee grounds using two immiscible solvents to separate lipids, polyphenols, hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin. This allows producing high-purity fractions of coffee oil, polyphenols, and residual biomass free of lipids and polyphenols. The residual biomass can be further hydrolyzed to remove cellulose and hemicellulose. The purified fractions and hydrolyzed residue can be used separately or compounded with polymers for applications like biodegradable plastics, coatings, and composites. The biopolymer products have improved barrier properties and reduced oxygen and water vapor transmission rates compared to the base polymer alone.

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The increasing risk of microbial infections and antimicrobial resistance requires the development sustainable biomaterials with improved therapeutic properties for effective environmentally friendly health safety applications, leading to exploration advanced multifunctional nanomaterials. This study introduces a novel electrospun polymeric membrane that integrates trimetallic nanohybrid composed silver (Ag), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni) curcuminoids derived from turmeric oleoresin. combination is incorporated into biodegradable polycaprolactone (PCL) mat. synthesis characterization nanohybrids were performed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV diffuse reflectance spectrometry. membranes demonstrated synergistic effect, as evidenced by inhibition zones measuring between 29.67 0.24 33.17 mm against wide range bacterial fungal strains. primary mechanism attributed radical scavenging activity (RSA), which reached maximum value 76.14 0.99% in PCL Furthermore, displayed significant anti-inf... Read More

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Preparing thermoplastic compositions from renewable cellulose and hemicellulose sources by grafting cyclic ester monomers onto the polysaccharides. This involves reacting cyclic ester monomers like caprolactone with cellulose and hemicellulose to form grafted compositions. The grafted polymers have chains composed of multiple cyclic ester monomer units. The grafted compositions have both thermoplasticity for processing and biodegradability due to the renewable starting materials. The compositions can be used to create biodegradable plastics from renewable sources.

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Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology combined with biodegradable polymers enables the development of patient-specific drug formulations improved therapeutic outcomes. Biodegradable like polylactic acid (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL), and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) serve as primary materials in pharmaceutical 3D due to their tunable degradation profiles biocompatibility. Recent trends include incorporation nanoparticles within polymer matrices, hybrid biomaterial composites, integration artificial intelligence for optimizing parameters. The emergence smart 4D has enabled creation stimuli-responsive delivery systems that can adapt physiological conditions. Internet Things (IoT) 3D-printed devices facilitates real-time monitoring remote customization. However, several challenges are yet be overcome, including regulatory compliance, scalability limitations, need precise control over kinetics. Ongoing research focuses on developing environmentally sustainable polymers, improving printability, material properties enhanced efficacy. potential localized manufacturing at pharma... Read More

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Biodegradable polyesters serve as matrices in pharmaceutical applications for the controlled release of therapeutic agents. These polymers are essential advancement drug delivery systems (DDSs) that facilitate gradual over a predetermined duration. Therefore, this study introduces novel use diethyl zinc/propyl gallate catalytic system to synthesize glycolide/-caprolactone copolymers (PGCL) subsequent biomedical applications. A total twenty-four biodegradable copolymeric matrices, characterized by highly random microstructure and an average molecular weight (Mn) ranging from approximately 27 62 kDa, were synthesized analyzed. The resulting copolymer samples underwent Neutral Red Uptake (NRU) Umu tests, revealing no signs cyto- or genotoxicity. Furthermore, hemolysis assay was conducted on selected samples, indicating their suitability intravenous administration. Finally, paclitaxel (PACL) one demonstrated sustained profile, following first-order kinetics Fickian diffusion mechanism.

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Porous biodegradable materials made from modified fibroin proteins that can be molded into desired shapes and degrade over time. The modified fibroin contains a block copolymer with a hydrophobic polypeptide skeleton segment bonded to one or more segments containing plasticizing functional groups. The plasticizing segments improve processability by reducing hydrophobic interactions during production. The materials are made by gelling a mixture of the modified fibroin and solvent followed by removing the solvent to form the porous body. The modified fibroin segments can contain specific motifs to enhance strength and processability.

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<title>Abstract</title> Synergistically integrating poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate (PBAT) with polylactic acid (PLA) presents an economical strategy to develop biodegradable materials by leveraging their complementary characteristics. However, the inherent phase incompatibility between PBAT and induces severe interfacial defects, fundamentally limiting development of high-strength composites. In this study, glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) is grafted onto through reactive blending during melting process, whereupon PLA/PBAT-g-GMA blends are prepared means in-situ compatibilization approach, in attempt achieve PLA/PBAT satisfactory comprehensive properties. The effects content GMA grafting rate on compatibility, microstructure, mechanical properties, thermal performance, crystalline behavior rheological processability PLA/PBT investigated detail. Systematic research has shown that compatibility been significantly improved implementing methods, when PBAT-g-GMA (2.84) 40%, impact strength blend can reach 961 J/m without affecting rigidity, which indicates our work proposes effective a... Read More

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Copolymerization with cleavable comonomers is a versatile approach to generate vinyl polymer viable end-of-life options such as biodegradability. Nevertheless, strategy ineffective in producing readily degradable 2, 3-dihydrofuran (DHF) copolymer high-molecular-weight (>200 kDa). The latter strong and biorenewable thermoplastic that eluded efficient cationic copolymerization synthesis. Here, we show an anion-binding catalyst seleno-cyclodiphosph(V)azanes enable the cyclic acetals by reversibly activating both different dormant species achieve high living chain-end retention high-molecular-weight. This method leads incorporating low density of individual in-chain acetal sequences PDHF chains (up 314 kDa), imparting on-demand hydrolytic degradability while without sacrificing thermomechanical, optical, barrier properties native material. proposed can be easily adapted existing polymerization synthesize polymers tailored addressing environmental sustainability requirements.

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Eco-friendly packaging for tampons that reduces plastic usage. The packaging consists of a wrapper made primarily of cellulosic fibers like paper, with a thin sealing layer. The cellulosic layer has a weight range of 15-90 gsm. The wrapper can also have a hydrophobic layer and grasping elements. The reduced plastic packaging improves environmental impact compared to fully plastic wrappers.

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Biodegradable hot melt adhesive for packaging, binding, coating, and other applications. The adhesive is made by polymerizing lactide, caprolactone, hydrocarbons, and a catalyst. It is then blended with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and heated to form the final adhesive. The hydrocarbon substituents are pentaerythritol, glycerol, neopentyl glycol, xylitol, sorbitol, and 1-octanol. The adhesive composition has specific weight percentages of the polymers, PVA, plasticizer, antioxidant, and catalyst. The adhesive provides biodegradability and improved properties like flexibility, setting time, open time, and adhesion compared to traditional petroleum-based adhesives.

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Biopolymers are natural materials derived from proteins, polysaccharides, lipids, or their derivatives, used in biodegradable packaging production. The addition of vermiculite clay can improve mechanical properties, enhance consistency, and thermal stability, broadening biocomposites' applications. This study investigates the effect varying starch, alginate, clay, plasticizer concentrations on properties like moisture, solubility, water vapor permeability (WVP), traits (tensile strength, elongation, Youngs modulus). Fifteen tests were performed with variations concentrations, as well amount material placed plate. Results showed that films higher content had lower moisture (20.64% to 24.61%) solubility. WVP increased film thickness. Regarding 3 g formulation better resistance flexibility. Tensile strength ranged 2.26 4.84 MPa, elongation between 9.27% 20.47%. These values suggest withstand moderate stress before failure. Young's modulus, ranging 13.65 52.27 reflects a balance stiffness flexibility, making it ideal for applications requiring combined

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