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<p>The demand for sustainable, biodegradable food packaging has driven the development of high-performance biopolymer films. This study presents 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES)-functionalized bentonite as an effective hierarchical filler for gelatin films. Bentonite was modified with 10–20 wt% APTES, introducing reactive amine groups and hydrophobic alkyl chains. Addition of just 3 wt% APTES@Bentonite (with optimal 20 wt% APTES loading) significantly enhanced film properties. SEM showed uniform dispersion and exfoliated morphology, while FTIR and dramatic mechanical enhancement strongly suggest interfacial adhesion through hydrogen bonding and possible covalent Si–O–C linkages formed by condensation of residual silanol groups with gelatin hydroxyl/carboxyl groups. Optimized composite showed a 254% increase in tensile strength (from 6.89 to 24.39&#xa0;MPa), higher thermal stability (+ 22&#xa0;°C), 33% lower water vapor permeability, and 47% lower water solubility, albeit with reduced elongation at break. These enhancements arise from improved filler–matrix compatibility, covalent crosslinking, surface hydrophobization, and a tortuous diffusion pathway created by well-dispersed clay platelets. Notably, high optical transparency (~ 85% at 600&#xa0;nm) and enhanced UV-blocking were retained. APTES-functionalized bentonite thus acts as a scalable, multifunctional filler, simultaneously reinforcing mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties of gelatin films, making them highly promising for next-generation eco-friendly food packaging applications.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>

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APTES-functionalized bentonite for hierarchical reinforcement of gelatin films: enhanced mechanical, thermal, and barrier performance

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月9日

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  • Saba Falah,
  • Mohammad Ghorbanpour,
  • Omid Rafeie

摘要

The demand for sustainable, biodegradable food packaging has driven the development of high-performance biopolymer films. This study presents 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES)-functionalized bentonite as an effective hierarchical filler for gelatin films. Bentonite was modified with 10–20 wt% APTES, introducing reactive amine groups and hydrophobic alkyl chains. Addition of just 3 wt% APTES@Bentonite (with optimal 20 wt% APTES loading) significantly enhanced film properties. SEM showed uniform dispersion and exfoliated morphology, while FTIR and dramatic mechanical enhancement strongly suggest interfacial adhesion through hydrogen bonding and possible covalent Si–O–C linkages formed by condensation of residual silanol groups with gelatin hydroxyl/carboxyl groups. Optimized composite showed a 254% increase in tensile strength (from 6.89 to 24.39 MPa), higher thermal stability (+ 22 °C), 33% lower water vapor permeability, and 47% lower water solubility, albeit with reduced elongation at break. These enhancements arise from improved filler–matrix compatibility, covalent crosslinking, surface hydrophobization, and a tortuous diffusion pathway created by well-dispersed clay platelets. Notably, high optical transparency (~ 85% at 600 nm) and enhanced UV-blocking were retained. APTES-functionalized bentonite thus acts as a scalable, multifunctional filler, simultaneously reinforcing mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties of gelatin films, making them highly promising for next-generation eco-friendly food packaging applications.

Graphical abstract