Biodegradable Gel Blends with Enhanced Sensing Capabilities: SIO₂‐Based Innovations for Sustainable and Eco‐Friendly Packaging

Abstract Biopolymer blends (GGs) derived from renewable plant or animal‐based raw materials, hold significant potential for competing in the packaging industry by offering environmentally biodegradable and bioresorbable alternatives. One of the main challenges lies in optimizing the mechanical properties to enhance stress transfer between active additives and the gelatin matrices reinforced with modified SiO₂ compounds. In this study, a 5 °C increase in the glass transition temperature and a fourfold improvement in tensile strength (reaching 12 MPa) were achieved by incorporating hydrophilic SiO₂ nanoclay. Ion distribution maps visualized the interactions between silicon derivatives and polypeptide domains within the gel matrix, revealing increased stability attributed to ions such as Si+, SiO+, SiH+, and SiHO+. The absence of heavy metals in the blends underscores their potential as environmentally friendly and sustainable packaging solutions, with promising applications in sectors such as medical packaging.