Chitosan-photocatalyst nanocomposite on polyethylene films as antimicrobial coating for food packaging.

Chitosan (CS), an edible and non-toxic natural biopolymer, has been widely used in food preservation attributed to its intrinsic antimicrobial, biodegradable, and excellent film-forming properties. In this work, we report photocatalyst-loaded chitosan coating on commercial polyethylene (PE) film with enhanced antimicrobial properties for food packaging application. To improve the chemical stability of zinc oxide (ZnO) photocatalyst in acidic chitosan matrix, a thin layer (1–5 nm) of amorphous tin oxide (SnO x) was coated on ZnO nanoparticles. Consequently, the charge transfer efficiency of ZnO is improved and most of the surface defects are retained according to the studies of UV–Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. The thin SnO x coating on ZnO was observed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and its effects on crystallinity and particle size of ZnO were examined using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and particle sizer, respectively. The addition of ZnO@SnO x particles in chitosan coating increases water contact angle (WCA) and enhances thermal stability of chitosan coating. The antimicrobial activity of chitosan, ZnO-SnO x nanoparticles, and CS-ZnO@SnO x coated PE films were examined against both Gram-negative (E. coli , A. faecalis) and Gram-positive (S. aureus , B. subtilis) bacteria. Compared to the limited antimicrobial effects of chitosan, ZnO-SnO x demonstrates an improved inhibition effect on bacterial growth over 48 h period under light. For the CS-ZnO@SnO x nanocomposite coated PE films, no inhibition zone was observed due to the limitation of disc diffusion method. Meanwhile, there were no bacterial colonies found to develop on the film, rendering this CS nanocomposite coating a good candidate for food packaging applications. [Display omitted] • Chemical instability of ZnO is circumvented by a thin layer of SnO x coating. • Thermal stability and hydrophobicity of chitosan coating were enhanced by ZnO@SnO x. • Chitosan-ZnO@SnO x was spray-coated on polyethylene film. • No bacteria growth on chitosan-ZnO@SnO x -coated polyethylene film [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]