Printed luminescent coverings based on nanosized ZnO for active and intelligent packaging

Abstract

There were investigated luminescent coverings based on ZnO nanoparticles, which change luminescence intensity in contact with compounds that indicate decay processes of food products, for active and intelligent (smart) packaging. High luminescent transparent films were developed based on colloidal suspension of ZnO and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) with different molecular mass, concentration of nano-ZnO, and film thickness in order to optimize the content of the compositions for enhancing their luminescence. The luminescent properties of films with different water solubility eliminating covers were studied. The water insoluble composition was obtained from ZnO nanoparticles stabilized with colloidal silicon dioxide and PVP in poly(methyl methacrylate), and the luminescent properties of films were studied. The compositions are safe for food packaging applications and can be applied to surfaces with flexography, inkjet, screen, and pad printing.