Dynamic Salt Bond Networks in Self-Healing Silicone-Nanoparticle Composites for Enhanced Mechanical and Antibacterial Performance

Preserving food quality and safety necessitates advanced packaging solutions. In this study, through the Coulomb interaction between the carboxyl group on the side chain of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), a novel and sustainable food packaging composite material was prepared using the ion crosslinking strategy. In order to obtain an ideal combination of high mechanical strength, elasticity, and antibacterial properties, the particle size of ZnO NPs was accurately controlled at about 4 nm, and the molar ratio of -COOH/ZnO was 2/1. The antimicrobial rate of the prepared ZnO-PDMS-COOH composite to Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus exceeds 99.99%, and the irrecoverable strain is only 11.85% after 5000 compression cycles. Compared with traditional packaging, the ZnO-PDMS-COOH composite material has excellent mechanical properties and antibacterial activity, which can protect the test fruit from almost all mechanical force damage, including shock, vibration, compression, and puncture, and prolong its storage life. This recyclable and remolded composite packaging material helps reduce spoilage during food transportation and storage and reduce environmental pollution caused by the waste of packaging materials.