Poly(n-butyl acrylate)–Casein Nanocomposites as Promising Candidates for Packaging Films

Abstract

Partially degradable materials, offer an interesting sustainable alternative for short-term use applications where their environmental impact could be importantly reduced. This article investigates the preparation of a series of poly(n-butyl acrylate)–casein nanocomposites with varied bio-component content via emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization. The influence of casein content on the morphological and film properties of the natural/synthetic materials is discussed. Film performance was analyzed in terms of water and vapor resistance, biodegradability in composting conditions, mechanical behavior, opacity, and thermal stability. The obtained results suggest that poly(n-butyl acrylate)–casein nanocomposites, with grafting of acrylic chains onto protein molecules, have great potential as bio-defragmentable packaging materials.