Characterization and disintegrability under composting conditions of PLA-based nanocomposite films with thymol and silver nanoparticles

Active nanocomposite films based on poly(lactic acid) (PLA), thymol and silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) were prepared and characterized. PLA films containing 6 and 8 wt% thymol and 1 wt% Ag-NPs were processed by extrusion to obtain binary and ternary formulations. The addition of thymol and Ag-NPs modified the PLA thermal, optical and barrier properties; in particular water vapour permeability (WVP), maintaining oxygen transmission rate (OTR) values unchanged. Homogeneous surfaces in all films were obtained as proved by FESEM micrographs. The presence of the active additives enhanced the disintegration rate of PLA under composting conditions, which was completed in 14 days. Results suggest that these nanocomposite films could be considered promising degradable active packaging materials with low environmental impact.