Properties of LDPE composite films using polyurushiol (YPUOH) for functional packaging applications

Lacquer sap extracted from lacquer trees exhibits good thermal stabilities and antimicrobial properties. To apply these superior properties to functional packaging, polyurushiol (YPUOH) powders were prepared and blended into LDPE (low density polyethylene) to prepare three different LDPE/YPUOH composite films via a twin screw extruder system. Their morphology, thermal and antimicrobial properties as well as barrier properties of the LDPE/YPUOH composite films were thoroughly investigated to find out applicablities of the films as functional packaging materials. Although the interfacial interaction between LDPE and YPUOH was relatively weak, LDPE/YPUOH composite films exhibited good dispersion of YPUOH in LDPE, resulting in the enhanced thermal stability with YPUOH loading. Due to the good antibacterial property of as-prepared YPUOH, LDPE/YUOH composite films also showed an excellent antibacterial activity (R) of 99.9% against E. coli. Furthermore, the moisture barrier property of LDPE/YPUOH composite films increased with increasing YPUOH contents. Incorporating the relatively low amount of YPUOH in LDPE resulted in the apparent enhancement in thermal stabilities, antibacterial and moisture barrier properties, which made them promising candidates as a functional filler for packaging materials.