China Plastics ›› 2025, Vol. 39 ›› Issue (12): 27-32.DOI: 10.19491/j.issn.1001-9278.2025.12.005

• Materials and Properties • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Preparation and properties of roselle extract/nano⁃TiO₂/starch composite films for food packaging

HE Qixiang, HAO Yanling(), GAO Qiqi, WANG Shihui   

  1. School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering,Lanzhou Jiaotong University,Lanzhou 730070,China
  • Received:2025-02-13 Online:2025-12-26 Published:2025-12-22

Abstract:

Nanocomposite films were fabricated by incorporating titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles and roselle extract (RE) into a corn starch matrix using a solution casting method. The films' morphology and chemical structure were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier⁃transform infrared spectroscopy, confirming good compatibility among the starch, TiO₂, and RE components. The functional properties, including tensile strength, water vapor barrier performance, and antimicrobial activity, were systematically evaluated. The results indicated a synergistic effect between TiO₂ and RE, leading to a significant enhancement in mechanical and barrier properties. Specifically, the RE/TiO₂/starch composite film exhibited a 53.3 % increase in tensile strength and a 27.1 % reduction in water vapor permeability compared to the pure starch film. The antioxidant activity was primarily attributed to RE, while the antimicrobial effect resulted from the combined action of RE and TiO₂. Furthermore, the composite film demonstrated excellent UV⁃blocking capacity. These findings indicate that the RE/TiO₂/starch nanocomposite is a promising and multifunctional material for advanced food packaging applications.

Key words: nanocomposite films, corn starch, roselle, titanium dioxide

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