Development and characterization of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/chitosan/lignin nanocomposite films for sustainable food packaging applications

The environmental challenges posed by petroleum-based plastics in food packaging have accelerated research into biodegradable alternatives. Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) is a promising candidate for sustainable packaging due to its biodegradability, non-toxicity, and excellent film-forming properties. This study reports the development and characterization of PVA nanocomposite films plasticized with glycerol, blended with nanochitosan, and reinforced with nanolignin. The effect of the incorporation of the biopolymers on the properties of the films was assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry(DSC), and antioxidant assays. For comparison, control films functionalized with non-nano chitosan and non-nano lignin were also prepared and characterized to assess the effects of nanoparticulation on material properties. Data on the UV-blocking, antimicrobial and mechanical properties of the nanocomposite films will be also reported, together with results demonstrating the possible applications of the nanocomposites in food packaging Overall, the integration of glycerol, nanochitosan, and nanolignin into PVA films provided multifunctional and potentially biodegradable nanocomposites exhibiting essential requirements for sustainable and active food packaging.