Poly( l ‐lactide)/zno nanocomposites as efficient UV‐shielding coatings for packaging applications

Poly( l ‐lactide) (PLLA)/ZnO nanocomposites have been developed as efficient UV‐shielding coatings for packaging applications. ZnO have been selected as the most suitable UV‐shielding material over 10 different metallic nanoparticles. Results reveal a nucleating effect of ZnO in which PLLA crystallization half time is reduced from 7.4 to 4.7 min with only 0.05 wt % ZnO. UV–vis spectroscopy confirms the UV‐shielding effect in PLLA/ZnO nanocomposites, where the ultraviolet spectrum is blocked by 61.2% for a concentration as low as 0.45 vol %, while the 95.9% of the visible radiation passes through the material. A schematic representation explaining obtained UV‐shielding effect is constructed based on the photon mean free path reduction as ZnO concentration increases. Water contact angle increased from 81° up to 91° for the 5 wt % nanocomposite, which would result beneficial in view to develop materials for packaging applications. Dynamic mechanical analysis exhibits a T g increase with nanoparticle loading arising from the chain confinement caused by the presence of ZnO interacting surfaces. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133 , 42426.