Pectin-based nanocomposite aerogels for potential insulated food packaging application

Abstract

Environmental-friendly pectin-TiO2nanocomposite aerogels were prepared via sol-gel process and subsequent drying under supercritical conditions. The first step includes dissolution of pectin in water, addition of proper amount of TiO2colloid and crosslinking reaction induced in the presence of tert-butanol and zinc ions. Then, the gels are subjected to the solvent exchange and supercritical CO2drying. The influence of TiO2nanoparticles on the textural, mechanical, thermal and antibacterial properties of aerogels was investigated. Results indicate that in the presence of TiO2nanoparticles (NPs) mechanical, thermal and antimicrobial properties of pectin-based aerogels are improved in comparison to the control pectin aerogels. It should be emphasized that the thermal conductivity of pectin-based aerogels (0.022–0.025 W m−1K−1) is lower than the thermal conductivity of air. Generally, the results propose that the pectin-TiO2nanocomposite aerogels, as bio-based material, might have potential application for the storage of temperature-sensitive food.